Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has lauded the Rising Starlets for their impressive performance in securing a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in the first leg of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The match, held on Sunday at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, showcased the young Kenyan side’s resilience and earned a vital away point.

In a post on X, Mohammed congratulated the team, stating, “Well done, Rising Starlets! You’ve put in maximum effort and earned a crucial point away from home. Let’s now aim for victory in the second leg this coming Sunday, back on our home soil.” The second leg is scheduled for September 28, 2025, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, where the team hopes to secure a spot in the next round.

Team building

The Harambee Stars also echoed the sentiment, posting, “It ends even. Good job girls. On to the next, on Sunday 28th, 2025 at Ulinzi Sports Complex. Before uende TEMS, come support the girls.” The draw highlights the Rising Starlets’ growing strength, supported by a structured youth development system under coach Jackline Juma.

The provisional squad, announced on September 6, 2025, by the FKF, includes promising talents from the Junior Starlets U17 team, which competed in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.

Grassroots support

As the 2025/2026 Kenyan Premier League season officially began this weekend, Mohammed emphasised the importance of grassroots support.

In a post dated September 18, 2025, he urged Kenyans to back local teams, saying, “As our local leagues kick off this weekend, I want to urge all Kenyans to come out, watch, and support our teams. Strong leagues are the foundation of strong national teams, and it is through them that we continue to nurture and produce quality players who can represent our country at the highest level.”

The season’s opening fixtures, including Kariobangi Sharks FC versus Bandari FC at Kasarani Annex and Gor Mahia FC against Bidco United FC at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, have heightened anticipation. A recent FKF partnership with a local gaming firm has boosted the prize money pool to Ksh20 million, with Ksh15 million for the champions, Ksh3 million for runners-up, and Ksh2 million for third place, as announced during the league launch on September 16, 2025, at a Nairobi hotel.