Kenya’s rising football talent Valerie Nekesa played a pivotal role in leading the Junior Starlets to a historic 2-1 victory over Mexico at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
The win, achieved on Thursday at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, marked the first time a Kenyan team has ever secured a win at a FIFA World Cup.
Nekesa was the first to make an impact, opening the scoring in the 15th minute. The Butere Girls student latched onto a perfectly delivered left cross from Joan Ogola and fired the ball into the net, giving the Junior Starlets an early 1-0 lead.
Her goal not only set the pace for Kenya but also made her the first Kenyan player to score at a FIFA World Cup.
Reflecting on her historic goal, Nekesa said, “I can’t believe it—it’s yet to sink in. Scoring for Kenya in the early minutes motivated us to perform better. We felt our opponents were beatable, and we carried that momentum to the end. I’m proud to be the one who started the process.”
Kenya doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Lornah Faith powered the ball into the far-right corner, leaving Mexican goalkeeper Camilla Vazquez helpless. Faith’s exceptional performance earned her the Player of the Match award, an honor that left the young star overwhelmed.
“This reward means a lot to me and my career. I wasn’t expecting it. I just did my best on the field, and I’m surprised someone else was watching,” said Faith, adding that the recognition has inspired her to pursue football as a long-term career.
Despite Mexico pulling one back through a penalty from Alexa Soto in stoppage time, Kenya held on for a deserved victory. Mexican coach Rojas Jimena admitted her side made crucial defensive errors but praised Kenya for their speed and strength, acknowledging the quality of their goals.
Kenyan coach Mildred Cheche was ecstatic with her team’s achievement. “We’re happy with the victory. At least we didn’t go home empty-handed—we cherish both the points and the Player of the Match award,” she said. Cheche highlighted her team’s pace and clinical finishing as key to their success, adding that the win was a significant milestone for both the team and the country.
Kenya finished third in Group C with three points, while Mexico ended the tournament without a point. North Korea topped the group after defeating England 4-0 to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
