TANZANIA U20 women’s national team head coach Bakari Shime has expressed strong dissatisfaction with his side’s performance despite their dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Kenya on Saturday, which secured passage to the final round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The high-stakes return leg, played at the Azam Sports Complex in Chamazi, saw the Tanzanite Queens under pressure to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Nairobi. Although they managed to level the aggregate score, Shime insisted the team is not yet operating at the level required for the decisive qualifying stage.

After a tense and scoreless first half in which Kenya’s Rising Starlets maintained a disciplined defensive block, Tanzania finally found a breakthrough early in the second half.

In the 51st minute, the hosts were awarded a penalty following a foul inside the Kenyan penalty area. Winfrida Hubert stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to level the aggregate score at 1-1.

Despite the equaliser, Tanzania struggled to find a winning goal in open play, forcing the contest into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. The hosts held their composure, converting three of their spot-kicks while Kenya missed three, allowing Tanzania to seal progression.

While celebrations erupted in Chamazi, coach Shime (pictured) was candid about his disappointment.

“We didn’t execute our game plan at all today. The focus wasn’t there, especially in the first half. We struggled to create scoring chances and left ourselves too exposed at the back. However, the most important thing is that we have qualified, and for that I am happy,” Shime said.

He noted that anxiety affected his players, allowing Kenya to remain in the contest through counter-attacks instead of Tanzania asserting control earlier.

“I plan to sit down with the players and analyse this match to understand their perspective. They are only human, and perhaps it was just an off day. Moving forward, I have selected twelve players for the upcoming Twiga Stars camp. This will allow us to refine our tactical execution as we prepare for the crucial matches against Cameroon in May,” he added.

Shime had previously cited the bumpy surface at Ulinzi Sports Complex for the 1-0 first-leg defeat in Nairobi. With improved playing conditions in the return leg, he expected a more fluid and technical display that ultimately failed to materialise.

With the victory, Tanzania advance to the final round of the qualifiers, where they are scheduled to face Cameroon. For Shime, attention now shifts from relief to refinement as the team seeks to overcome the West African side and secure a place at the 2026  materialise.World Cup in Poland.