Kenya’s Junior Starlets have made history by reaching the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time after thrashing Samoa 4-0 in their final Group E match in Morocco on Sunday.

Mwanakombo Bakari scored twice, while Brenda Awuor and Gaudancia Maloba also found the net as Kenya registered their first victory of the tournament at the Mohammed VI Football Academy.

The emphatic win, combined with results from other groups, secured Kenya the final available Round of 16 spot as one of the four best third-placed teams. It turned what appeared to be an early tournament exit into a historic breakthrough for the country.

The achievement marks the first time a Kenyan team has progressed beyond the group stage at a FIFA World Cup. It also adds another milestone to head coach Mildred Cheche’s growing record after she became the first coach to lead a Kenyan side to a FIFA World Cup, guiding the Junior Starlets to their debut at the 2024 edition.

Kenya entered Sunday's fixture under pressure after opening their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to China before suffering a 6-1 loss to the United States. The two defeats left the team needing a convincing victory against Samoa, alongside favourable results elsewhere, to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive.

In a morning preview, The Eastleigh Voice had reported that Kenya had been eliminated from contention for the knockout stage following the two defeats. However, the tournament's best third-placed teams qualification route left a narrow opportunity open, and the Junior Starlets seized it with a commanding performance against Samoa.

Bakari set the tone with an early goal before doubling her tally after the break. Awuor also got on the scoresheet before halftime, giving Cheche's side a strong platform as they pursued the convincing victory needed to improve their chances of qualification.

Maloba added another goal as Kenya maintained their dominance, while Bakari completed her brace to cap a memorable afternoon for the team.

The four-goal margin proved decisive in Kenya's push for qualification, significantly improving their goal difference after the heavy defeats to China and the United States. Their progress also depended on results in other groups, as the final round of matches determined which third-placed teams would advance.

Kenya's qualification was subsequently confirmed, with FIFA announcing that the Junior Starlets had claimed the last available place in the Round of 16.

The victory represents a remarkable response from a team that had struggled in its opening two matches. Against China, Kenya failed to score, while their late consolation goal through Lindey Weey Atieno against the United States had provided their first goal of the tournament.

Sunday's performance, however, delivered far more than a positive finish to the group stage. It secured Kenya a place in the knockout rounds and opened a new chapter in the country's football history.

The Junior Starlets will now face Japan, who finished top of Group D, in the Round of 16 as their World Cup campaign continues.

For Cheche and her players, the historic qualification is a significant step forward for Kenyan women's football and an opportunity to test themselves against another of the tournament's leading sides.