Kenya’s national women’s team, Harambee Starlets, are just one game away from clinching the CECAFA Women’s Championship title following a stunning 4-0 victory over South Sudan at Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Thursday, June 19, 2025. 

The win saw the Beldine Odemba-led outfit chalk up their third successive victory to top the five-team championship that is being played in a round-robin format.  

Following the commanding win, Starlets sit on the summit of the standings on nine points, three above hosts Tanzania, who were playing Uganda at the time of going to the press. 

Before Thursday’s fixtures, Tanzania were leading the standings with a superior goal difference (+10) above Kenya (+7), but the two-time champions will need to defeat Uganda by more than two unanswered goals to regain the top spot. 

Kenya’s rout against winless South Sudan was their third clean sheet following commanding wins against Uganda (4-0) and Burundi (3-0) on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and Tuesday, June 24, 2025, respectively. 

Against South Sudan, Kenya wasted no time asserting dominance as Faith Mboya stabbed home a cool finish in the third minute to set the tone for a relentless attacking display. 

Starlets guarded their lead into the break and picked up from where they had left off, with Violet Nanjala firing home the second in the 48th minute before red-hot Martha Amunyolet made it three with a brilliant finish from a corner kick in the 65th minute. 

Elizabeth Ochaka then put the icing on the cake with a last-gasp goal, sealing Starlets’ dominant performance.

Reflecting on the win, Odemba lauded Starlets for showing up and giving their all in their matches, noting that they were impressive in the second half. 

“The teams have improved very much. You can see there’s good competition in the CECAFA region, and I’m glad that women’s football is growing in the CECAFA region,” Odemba told the media. 

“We hope that Cecafa should be held yearly, and we also hope to see other countries from the region participating. Not completely, but I thank them that they gave their best, especially in the second half. In the first half, we didn’t have so much energy, but in the second half, they showed up.” 

In another fixture, Tanzania’s Tanzania’s Twiga Stars stopped 2022 champions Uganda Crested Cranes 2-0 to maintain their lead on the table.

Opa Clement Tukumbuke opened the scoring for the home side after 22 minutes, after a defensive lapse by the Crested Cranes. 

Captained by Zainah Namuleme, the Ugandan team continued to close gaps and created a few scoring opportunities through Sylivia Kabene.

After recess, Twiga Stars increased their intensity, but the Crested Cranes defended well. Diana Msewa made it 2-0 for Tanzania after another lapse in defending by the Ugandan team. 

Shime Bakari, the Twiga Stars coach, praised his team for the good play against a well-organised Ugandan side.

“I am happy we have not conceded after three matches, and now we must prepare for the last match against Kenya.” 

The Starlets will meet Tanzania on Saturday at the Azam Sports Complex in what promises to be a high-stakes final group match.  

With the tournament being played in a round-robin format, every goal could prove decisive in determining who finishes top and ultimately lifts the CECAFA title.