Junior Starlets Coach Mildred Cheche has been awarded the prestigious SJAK Coach-of-the-Month title for March 2025. Cheche’s exceptional leadership and tactical brilliance have earned her recognition after leading the Kenya National Women’s U-17 team, the Junior Starlets, to an impressive 5-0 aggregate victory over Uganda in the first round of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Junior Starlets’ remarkable performance came after they secured a 2-0 win in Kampala, followed by a dominant 3-0 victory in Nairobi. This outstanding achievement not only clinched the team’s progression to the second and final round of qualifiers against Cameroon but also highlighted Cheche’s influence in shaping a formidable team. The triumph solidified the Junior Starlets’ place in the tournament, keeping their dream of making it to the World Cup alive.
Cheche’s victory is significant not only for the results achieved but also for her history with the team. She had previously guided the Junior Starlets to their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, marking a historic milestone as the first Kenyan team to reach the finals of a global football competition. Her ability to motivate and lead the team through crucial moments has garnered her respect and admiration both locally and internationally.
In her response to receiving the Coach-of-the-Month award, Cheche expressed immense gratitude. She dedicated the award to the players and the technical bench, acknowledging that their collective effort was key to the team’s success. “Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible. This award motivates us as we prepare to face Cameroon in the World Cup qualifier,” Cheche said. She also took a moment to thank SJAK and Betika for their support of the award, emphasizing how initiatives like these help fuel the growth of sports and inspire coaches to continually strive for excellence.
The Coach-of-the-Month award is part of a broader initiative to celebrate the achievements of Kenyan coaches. The award saw Cheche edge out strong contenders such as Kabras Sugar Coach Carlos Katya and Kenya Police FC’s Etienne Ndayiragire. Katya finished as the first runner-up, having led Kabras Sugar to an exceptional series of victories in March, including a dominant 20-14 victory against Menengai Oilers, a 25-17 win over KCB, and an overwhelming 45-6 triumph against Nondescripts. These results propelled Kabras Sugar to the final of the Kenya Cup, solidifying Katya’s status as one of the top coaches in the country.
Etienne Ndayiragire, who secured the second runner-up position, was also deserving of praise. His leadership of Kenya Police FC saw the team remain unbeaten in the FKF Premier League, with notable results including a 0-0 draw with AFC Leopards, a 3-1 win against Murang’a Seal, and a 1-0 victory over Posta Rangers. Ndayiragire’s tactical acumen ensured Kenya Police FC stayed at the top of their game, contributing to their impressive unbeaten streak.
Betika, a prominent sponsor of the award, celebrated Cheche’s achievement and reaffirmed its commitment to recognizing coaches who dedicate themselves to developing their teams. The company’s Head of Marketing, Japheth Akhulia, congratulated Cheche and emphasized the importance of rewarding excellence in coaching. He highlighted how such recognition encourages coaches to continue their hard work and passion for nurturing talent.
The partnership between Betika and SJAK, valued at KES 6 million, is a one-year deal aimed at supporting the Coach-of-the-Month award. This collaboration underscores the shared ambition of both organizations to create more opportunities and promote inclusivity in sports across the country. Through this partnership, the contributions of coaches like Cheche, who play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sports, are acknowledged and celebrated, inspiring a new generation of sports leaders.
