According to a report by FIFA.com on Sunday, October 25, 2026, 17-year-old Mwanakombo Bakari Nlela has won the Player of the Match award after helping Kenya’s U-17 women’s national team secure a commanding 4-0 victory over Samoa at the ongoing 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Sunday.

Bakari scored twice to inspire the Kenyan side to an emphatic victory in their final Group E fixture to boost their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the competition.

The young midfielder found the back of the net in the fourth minute to give Kenya an early advantage before adding her second goal in the 64th minute to strengthen her team’s grip on the match.

Brenda Awuor scored in the 44th minute, while Gaudancia Maloba added another in the 62nd minute to complete the 4-0 victory.

Her impressive performance earned her the Player of the Match award as Kenya rounded off their group-stage campaign with a convincing win.

The victory was particularly important for Kenya, who had suffered defeats against China and the United States in their opening two matches of the tournament.

The Junior Starlets lost 3-0 to China PR in their opening match on October 19.

Kenya then suffered a 6-1 defeat to the United States on October 22.

Lindey Weey Atieno scored Kenya’s consolation goal in stoppage time.

Kenya’s triumph over Samoa ultimately secured their historic progression to the Round of 16, marking a significant milestone for the country at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Born on June 7, 2009, Bakari plays as a midfielder for Kombani Queens in Kenya and stands at 148 centimetres tall.