Kenya’s Under 17 women’s national team, the Junior Starlets, reported back to camp on Thursday evening at the Stadion Hotel in Kasarani. The team is preparing for a decisive third-round tie against Cameroon in the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya will host the first leg of the encounter on April 4 before traveling for the return fixture on April 25. The preparations have kicked off with head coach Mildred Cheche welcoming 10 players alongside members of the technical bench, with additional squad members expected to join the camp.
To further sharpen their skills ahead of the crucial tie, the team will play a friendly match against Morocco. The Junior Starlets have been in excellent form, having secured their spot in the third round with an emphatic 5-0 aggregate victory over Uganda. The team won the first leg 2-0 in Uganda, with goals from Joan Ogola and Edinah Nasipwondi, before sealing the qualification with a commanding 3-0 win in the second leg at Nyayo National Stadium.
The upcoming match against Cameroon presents a significant challenge, with the winner securing a ticket to the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted in Morocco later this year. The team is eager to make history by qualifying for the prestigious tournament.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya assured the team of the government’s full support as they continue their qualification journey. He emphasized the importance of discipline and hard work, acknowledging the team’s remarkable progress in recent matches.
“This team has performed exceptionally well and demonstrated great discipline in their recent matches. We are here to assure them that the government is fully behind them as they prepare for their upcoming friendlies and competitive fixtures. They have a great chance, and we will ensure they have the best environment to develop their talents and gain international recognition,” Mvurya stated.
The Sports Principal Secretary, Elijah Mwangi, and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials, led by President Hussein Mohammed and his deputy McDonald Mariga, joined Mvurya in reaffirming their support for the team. Their presence at the training camp highlighted the significance of the upcoming matches and the nation’s commitment to nurturing young footballing talent.
The Junior Starlets’ preparations will be crucial as they gear up for the two-legged showdown against Cameroon. The team is focused on fine-tuning their strategies and ensuring they are in top form to secure a historic World Cup qualification.
With the government and federation rallying behind them, the players and technical bench remain optimistic about their chances. The journey to the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup is within reach, and the team is determined to seize the opportunity and represent Kenya on the global stage.
