Mwanakombo Bakari celebrates after scoring a brace against Samoa. Photo: Courtesy.

Kenya's Junior Starlets have done more than make history at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. They have given Kenyan football a lesson in resilience, belief and the rewards of refusing to surrender.

After losing 3-0 to China and suffering a painful 6-1 defeat against the USA, Kenya's hopes of reaching the knockout stage looked slim. Two matches, two defeats, and the World Cup dream appeared to be slipping away.

But coach Mildred Cheche's girls were not ready to pack their bags.

Against Samoa, they replied with a resounding 4-0 victory to book a historic place in the Round of 16 for the first time. Mwanakombo Bakari scored twice and provided an assist, while Brenda Awuor and Gaudencia Maloba also found the net. Bakari became the first Kenyan player to score a brace at the tournament.

Junior Starlets sailed Kenya into the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time. Photo: Courtesy.

That is the spirit Kenyan football needs.

The senior men's teams, especially Harambee Stars, must take note. Talent alone will not win matches. Character, tactical discipline, preparation and the courage to respond when things go wrong are equally important.

The Starlets did not allow two heavy defeats to define their campaign. They regrouped, found their scoring touch and turned pressure into opportunity.

Cheche has rightly celebrated the milestone while acknowledging the work ahead. Japan now stands between Kenya and a place in the quarter-finals, with the Round of 16 clash scheduled for this Thursday at 9pm local time.

Whatever happens next, these girls have already earned their place in Kenyan football history.

Now the challenge is for the senior teams to stop admiring such achievements from a distance and start learning from them. Kenyan football needs fewer excuses and more performances that make the country proud.