Teen Cranes coach Sheryl Botes has expressed confidence that her team is ready to reverse the 2-0 deficit from the first leg and progress to the final round of the World Cup qualifiers. The two teams will face off at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday in a crucial match that could decide their fate in the race for World Cup qualification. Despite the first leg result at Hamz, Nakivubo Stadium, where Junior Starlets came out on top, Botes believes the second leg will be a different challenge altogether, particularly with the game being held in Nairobi.
Botes is aware that Junior Starlets are a formidable side, having shown their strength through past performances on the international stage. Their physicality, speed, and endurance have been key factors in their rise to prominence, and Botes is fully aware of these strengths. “We are expecting a Kenyan team with the same physicality, speed, endurance, and maturity because they have shown us why they have gone to the World Cup,” she said. The Kenyan team has a rich history, including notable victories like their win over Mexico and a narrow loss to England. These performances have helped the Teen Cranes’ coaching staff analyze their opponents’ playing style, focusing on their physicality and endurance, which they believe will be the main challenges to overcome.
Although Botes acknowledges that Junior Starlets have a strong squad with a wealth of experience, she is optimistic that her players will rise to the occasion. She urged her team to be ruthless in their approach to the game. “These are the opportunities we need for our team to get stronger,” Botes stated. “Junior Starlets have a rich history. They managed to beat Mexico, they played well against England even though they lost 1-0. We have studied all those matches and seen how strong and physical they are. Their endurance capacity is very high, and those are some of the things we looked at while we were at home.”
One challenge that Teen Cranes faces is their relative inexperience. Several players from the first leg made their national team debut, and Botes is aware that this could be a disadvantage. However, she is focused on making tactical adjustments that can help her team handle the pressure. “We have six or seven players who played for the first time in the national team in the first leg, but these are the opportunities they need to get better,” she said. “It’s all about withstanding pressure and crafting a tactical approach. Gone are the days when the scoreline was big, but we are looking forward to a tough fight.”
While the Starlets only need a draw to progress to the final qualification round, their approach to the return leg remains one of focus and determination. A 1-0 defeat would still be enough for them to move on, but they are treating the match as a fresh start. “We are going into the match as though we are starting afresh. Yes, we won the first leg, but in football, anything can happen and we are taking the return tie very seriously. We go in as though it is still 0-0. Our ambition is to give everything and win at home, in front of our fans,” said Junior Starlets’ captain Halima Imbachi.
Junior Starlets are looking to secure a second consecutive World Cup appearance, after their historic qualification for the tournament in the Dominican Republic last year. With both teams poised for a high-stakes showdown, the outcome of this match will determine which side progresses to the final round of qualification, adding to the already intense competition in the World Cup qualifiers. The Teen Cranes are determined to fight back and defy the odds, while Junior Starlets will look to defend their advantage and continue their quest for World Cup glory.
