Kenya thrash Uganda as Nyayo Stadium reopens in style

After more than a year of anxious waiting, Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi finally reopened its doors for international matches on Sunday.

And what better way to mark the occasion than with Kenya’s Under-17 Women’s team thrilling the home crowd with a dominant 3-0 victory over Uganda in the return leg of the 2025 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Hundreds of home supporters celebrated the emphatic win, which secured the Junior Starlets a spot in the final qualifying round against Cameroon.

Second-half substitute Brenda Achieng stole the show with a brace, while Patience Asiko netted Kenya’s opener.

Kenya had already secured a 2-0 win in the first leg in Kampala on March 8, sealing a 5-0 aggregate victory over the Teen Cranes of Uganda.

An aggregate win over Cameroon will see Junior Starlets, coached by Mildred Cheche, qualify for their second consecutive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after their historic debut last year in the Dominican Republic.

Under Cheche’s leadership, Kenya finished third in Group 'C' during their World Cup debut, securing a memorable 2-1 victory over Mexico in their final match.

Nyayo National Stadium had been closed for renovation since August 2024, with its last international match being a 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Kenya’s Harambee Starlets and Botswana on November 19, 2023.

Coach Cheche had called on fans to show up in large numbers, and she might have been pleased with the sizeable crowd that turned up to support her girls. Among the dignitaries in attendance was Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum.

Cheche showed confidence in her squad by making just one change from the first leg, bringing in Patience Asiko for Nlela Bakari.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s South African coach Sheryl Ulanda made two changes, introducing Halima Mupyanga and Loyce Komugisha for the absent Shadiah Nabirye and Shamirah Namucabrye.

Uganda started the match brightly, forcing Kenya’s goalkeeper Velma Abwire into a save in just the second minute.

However, Kenya responded immediately, taking the lead in the fifth minute when Asiko dribbled into the box and unleashed a powerful shot past goalkeeper Haira Nabbosa.

The early goal sent the stadium into a frenzy, with fans erupting in celebrations. Kenya could have doubled the lead in the ninth minute, but a mix-up between Asiko and Joan Ogola saw the latter miss a golden opportunity from close range.

Uganda struggled to break through Kenya’s solid defence, with their best chances coming from free kicks. However, skipper Agnes Nabukenya, Charity Katusiime, and Martha Babirye failed to capitalize on them.

Both teams made substitutions at the break, with Kenya bringing on Bakari for Brenda Awuor, while Uganda introduced Peace Ayiorwoth for Dorine Aujat.

Kenya started the second half strongly, forcing Uganda to defend deep to avoid conceding again.

At the hour mark, Kenya’s Edinah Nasipwondi missed a golden opportunity, firing wide from close range after a cross from the left. Earlier, goalkeeper Awuor had kept Kenya’s lead intact with a crucial save from Nusulah Nakintu’s effort.

Sensing the need for fresh attacking firepower, Cheche introduced Brenda Achieng in the 67th minute for Nasipwondi.

Despite Kenya wasting several chances, Achieng finally sent the crowd into wild celebrations, scoring twice—five minutes before full-time and again in stoppage time—to seal a resounding 3-0 victory.