End of the road as Rising Starlets crash out of World Cup ticket race

Tanzania’s Diana William (left) battles for the ball with Kenya’s Hilder Natecho during 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup return leg at Chamazi Complex on February 14, 2026. [TFF Media]

Rising Starlets' hunt for a ticket to the 2026 Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup ended in an anti-climax as they fell 3-1 to neighbours Tanzania in post-match penalties at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday.

Failure to secure a healthy lead at home during the first leg haunted the Kenyans, who needed a draw of any kind going into the do-or-die clash. Though they had won at home, a solitary goal was not good enough to cushion them from the Tanzanite Queens, who were keen to avenge their defeat and book their slot in the last eight.