The Kenya women’s national U-17 football team, the Junior Starlets, are set to face off against Uganda’s Teen Cranes in a high-stakes qualifier for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. This crucial encounter will determine which team secures a spot at the global tournament, and Kenya is aiming for a second consecutive qualification.
The first leg of the two-legged qualifier is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, at Uganda’s Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo, with the return fixture taking place on March 16 in Kenya. Both teams are fully aware of the importance of these matches, and the pressure is on as they prepare to battle for supremacy.
Kenya’s Junior Starlets, under the guidance of coach Mildred Cheche, have been preparing intensely for the match. The team is set to depart for Uganda on Thursday, March 6, hoping to secure a positive result away from home and gain an advantage heading into the second leg on home soil. With a place at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at stake, the Junior Starlets know that they cannot afford to take their East African rivals lightly.
Uganda’s Teen Cranes, led by coach Shery Botes, have also been preparing rigorously for the challenge. The Ugandan team has been training at the Cranes Paradise Hotel since February 24 and is fully focused on securing a victory over Kenya. With their eyes firmly set on the prize, the Teen Cranes are determined to prove themselves on the continental stage.
One of the standout players in Uganda’s squad is highly-rated defender Assimwe Zidah, who plays for Boni Consilii Girls’ Vocational Secondary School. Zidah has expressed her excitement and commitment ahead of the qualifier, stressing the hard work and dedication the team has put into their preparations. She emphasized the importance of the upcoming match against Kenya, saying, “We are specifically preparing for the match against Kenya on March 8, and we are very committed to winning because we have been putting in the effort and will continue to work hard.”
With both teams hungry for success, the upcoming encounter is expected to be a fiercely contested affair. Kenya’s Junior Starlets will be determined to maintain their strong performances from previous qualifiers, while Uganda’s Teen Cranes will be aiming to use home advantage to secure a positive result in the first leg. The two teams know that every moment counts, and they will be pulling out all the stops to ensure they come out on top.
For Kenya, the challenge of overcoming Uganda represents more than just a qualification match it is a chance to assert themselves as one of the top teams in African women’s football. The Junior Starlets have a strong squad, featuring players who have demonstrated their potential in previous competitions. If they can execute their game plan effectively and handle the pressure of the away leg, they will have a good chance of advancing to the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s Teen Cranes are equally motivated to prove themselves on the international stage. They have been working hard under the leadership of coach Shery Botes, and their squad is filled with talented individuals like Zidah, who will be key to their success in this vital qualifier.
The Junior Starlets have named their traveling squad, which includes a mix of experienced players and emerging talent. The team boasts several key figures, including goalkeepers Velma Abwire, Scovia Awuor, and Ann Wavinya, as well as defenders Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, and Jenevive Mithel. Midfielders such as Halima Imbachi, Brenda Awuor, and Lindy Weey Atieno will be crucial in controlling the game, while forwards like Anifa Bakari, Mitshel Waithera, and Joy Angela Valencia will be expected to deliver goals and create chances.
With both teams eager to claim victory, the upcoming two-legged qualifier promises to be a thrilling and intense spectacle. Each side will be determined to take a crucial step toward securing a place in the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and the battle for supremacy in East Africa is about to begin. The Junior Starlets will need to be at their best to overcome the challenge posed by the Teen Cranes, as they seek to make history once again by qualifying for the prestigious tournament.
