Fridah Parloma has returned from Kigali with a silver medal and a tournament that marks her out as one of the most exciting young talents in Kenyan football.
Parloma was an ever-present for Kenya’s U15 girls at the 2026 CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers, held in the Rwandan capital from 3 to 5 September. She started all five matches as Kenya reached the final of a competition that offered the CECAFA region’s ticket to the continental championship.
Kenya opened Group B with a goalless draw against defending champions Tanzania before a demanding double-header on the second day. Parloma got on the scoresheet in both, first in a 7-0 dismantling of Sudan and again as Kenya thumped Somalia 8-0 to top the group and reach the last four.
Her goal against Sudan came at 13 years and 278 days, making her among the youngest players ever to score at the competition.
The semi-final against hosts Rwanda was a far sterner test. Neither side could find a breakthrough in normal time and the tie went to penalties in front of a partisan crowd. Parloma stepped up to take Kenya’s fourth spot-kick and buried it, helping her side through 5-4 and into the final.
There, Tanzania proved too strong, winning 3-0 to claim the regional ticket and leaving Kenya with second place.
Parloma finished the tournament with two goals and two assists. Her team-mate Abigael Cherop took the Golden Boot with nine goals as Kenya scored freely throughout the group stage.
Indeed keep it my baby….