The return leg between Kenya’s Rising Starlets and Tanzania Queens in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier was everything an East African derby should be — emotional, dramatic, and decided by the finest of margins.
Played at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam, the hosts came into the match trailing 1–0 from the first leg in Nairobi, where Elizabeth Mideva had given Kenya the advantage. With qualification hanging in the balance, both sides approached the game cautiously but with visible hunger.
Kenya tried to manage the tempo early, sticking to the disciplined structure emphasised by head coach Jackline Juma. However, Tanzania grew stronger as the game progressed, feeding off the energy of their home supporters. Their breakthrough came in the second half when they were awarded a penalty. Midfielder Winfrida Hubert stepped up confidently and converted, levelling the tie on aggregate and swinging momentum firmly in Tanzania’s favour.
Despite late pushes from Kenya and tactical adjustments from Tanzania’s bench, led by coach Marco Kazobe, neither side could find a winning goal in open play. Extra time did little to separate the two teams, forcing the contest into the nerve-shredding reality of a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Tanzania showed greater composure. Winfrida Hubert, who had already scored in regulation time, confidently converted her spot kick again. She was joined on the scoresheet by Neema Paul and Diana Msewa, all sending the Kenyan goalkeeper the wrong way. One Tanzanian attempt was missed, but it did little to dent their momentum.
For Kenya, Elizabeth Mideva calmly converted her penalty to keep hopes alive. However, misses from two of her teammates proved costly, with Tanzania’s goalkeeper making a crucial save that ultimately tilted the balance. When Kenya’s final attempt failed to hit the target, Tanzanian players erupted in celebration while the Rising Starlets stood frozen in heartbreak.
It was a cruel ending for Kenya, who had shown resilience throughout the two legs. Yet the night belonged to Tanzania — not just for their fighting spirit, but for their calmness under the most intense pressure. The derby once again reminded East Africa why this rivalry continues to grow in intensity and quality, producing moments that linger long after the final whistle.
