Uganda’s Teen Cranes noticed their dream of reaching the following stage of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Ladies’s World Cup qualifiers come to an finish after a goalless draw towards Kenya’s Junior Starlets in Nairobi on Saturday.
The end result handed Kenya qualification on the away objectives rule after the 2 sides had performed out a 1-1 draw within the first leg in Kampala. Emily Adhiambo’s essential equaliser in Uganda finally proved decisive throughout the two-legged contest.
Needing a scoring draw or victory to progress, the Teen Cranes delivered a spirited efficiency and loved a number of promising moments all through the match. Immaculate Achen squandered an early one-on-one alternative, whereas Justine Ayerango got here shut with an formidable long-range effort that drifted narrowly huge.
Uganda managed massive spells of the primary half, dominating possession and dictating the tempo by means of a composed midfield show. Shadia Nabirye and Martha Nabirye had been influential because the guests repeatedly examined the Kenyan defence.
The Teen Cranes continued to threaten after the break, with Achen once more going shut after being performed by means of on purpose by an excellent move from Shadia Nabirye, just for Kenya captain Beverline Awuor to make a vital restoration deal with.
Uganda’s finest probability arrived within the 76th minute when a harmful free-kick brought on goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo to spill the ball. Joan Namakula reacted quickest however fired huge from shut vary with the purpose at her mercy.
Regardless of a decided effort and a disciplined defensive show, coach Sheryl Ulanda’s aspect couldn’t discover the breakthrough they desperately wanted as Kenya held agency to safe development.
The Teen Cranes bow out of the qualifiers with heads held excessive after an encouraging marketing campaign that included a commanding 6-1 mixture victory over Zimbabwe within the earlier spherical. Nevertheless, Adhiambo’s away purpose in Kampala proved the distinction as Kenya superior to the third qualifying spherical.
Kenya will now face both Tanzania or South Africa for a spot nearer to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Ladies’s World Cup finals.
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