The Junior Starlets are gearing up for a decisive showdown against Uganda in the second leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. With the match set to take place on March 16 in Nairobi, team captain Halima Imbachi has called on Kenyan supporters to turn up in large numbers and provide the much-needed backing for the team.
The Kenyan U17 side heads into the return fixture with an advantage, having secured a vital 2-0 win in the first leg at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo in Uganda. Goals from Edinah Nasipwondi and Joan Ogola in the first half ensured a crucial victory away from home, putting the team in a strong position to progress.
Despite the advantage, Imbachi remains cautious and insists that the job is far from done. She emphasized the importance of home support in helping the team achieve their goal of advancing to the final round of the qualifiers. “Winning an away game is never easy, but we expected a positive result. Now, we need our families, fellow Kenyans, and fans to rally behind us for the second leg because we want nothing less than three points,” she stated.
Head coach Mildred Cheche expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance but acknowledged that there is still room for improvement ahead of the second leg. She commended the players for their dedication and adaptability, particularly the new members of the squad. “The game was tough, but the girls put in a great effort to secure the win away from home. We had good preparation, and even for the new players in the squad, it didn’t take long for them to adapt. The second leg at home will be equally challenging,” she noted.
Cheche, who guided the team to their first-ever FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup appearance last year in the Dominican Republic, highlighted the importance of refining the team’s attacking play. She pointed out that Uganda will be desperate for a win, making it crucial for Kenya to sharpen their offensive strategies while maintaining defensive solidity. “Uganda will come in desperate for three points. We need to fine-tune our attacking play and strengthen our defense,” she said.
A win in Nairobi would secure Kenya a spot in the final round of the qualifiers, where they are likely to face Cameroon, who are battling Ethiopia in the other qualifier. With the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup set to be hosted in Africa for the first time, the Junior Starlets are determined to secure their place in the prestigious tournament, which will be held in Morocco.
The upcoming match in Nairobi presents a significant opportunity for Kenya to continue their journey toward another World Cup appearance. The team is hopeful that home support will make a difference in what is expected to be a fiercely contested battle. With the players and technical bench fully focused on the task ahead, all eyes now turn to March 16 as the Junior Starlets seek to complete the job and move one step closer to qualification.
