Kenya’s Rising Starlets will welcome neighbours Tanzania on Saturday in a crucial first-leg encounter of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, as teams from the CECAFA Zone battle for progress.

The match will be played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi and is expected to be keenly contested. Elsewhere in the region, Uganda will host Zambia at the FUFA Stadium in Kadiba in another first-leg fixture.

Kenya head coach Jackline Juma has stressed the importance of securing a strong home result against Tanzania before heading into the return leg.

“Our training has gone well and we are prepared for the match. We know it will not be an easy one,” Juma said, adding that a home victory would serve as a major boost for her side.

On the other side, Tanzania’s experienced coach Bakari Shime underlined his team’s ambition to get a positive away result.

“I have told my players how important it is to win away and make our work easier in the return leg. Kenya is not an easy team, but we have prepared well,” he said.

Kenya reached this stage after defeating Ethiopia 5–1 on aggregate, while Tanzania were dominant in their previous round, crushing Angola 7–0 over two legs.

In Kampala, Uganda face a stern test against Zambia, one of the strongest sides from the COSAFA Zone. The Ugandans progressed after eliminating Namibia 5–0 on aggregate and will look to experienced players such as Sylvia Kabene of Hibernian FC (Malta) and Desire Katisi Natooro of Kenya Police Bullets FC for inspiration.

Uganda head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes emphasized the need for focus in the home leg. “We need to concentrate and get a good result,” she said.

The winners from this round will advance to the next phase of the qualifiers, with the final round determining Africa’s four representatives at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Poland.