Junior Starlets have sent warning to potential final round of the U17 Women's World Cup qualifier opponent Cameroon, bracing them for a tough challenge should they meet.
The Junior Starlets inched closer to sealing a second consecutive slot for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup after beating Uganda 2-0 in the first leg of the qualifiers.
Although the return leg is set for Nairobi on March 16, Junior Starlets are already thinking of the prospect of facing Cameroon in the final round of the qualifiers, where the winner will book one of the three slots reserved for Africa in the 2026 edition of the competition.
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After the team landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Sunday to a warm reception from fans, buoyed by their strong performance at Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala, talented midfielder Lindey Weey Atieno acknowledged the support from fans and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), vowing that the team would be ready for any opponent.
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11:41 - 08.03.2025
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"The game was not easy, but the coach motivated us, and we promised not to disappoint her. We are ready to win, whether it's Cameroon or any other team," she told Citizen Digital.
Traditionally, Kenyan football teams have found the going tough against Cameroon and perhaps Weey Atieno knows how important it will be to get one over their fiercest rivals.
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18:20 - 08.03.2025
FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Brilliant Junior Starlets claim first-leg advantage over Uganda in qualifier
Kenya's Junior Starlets secured a comfortable victory over neighbors Uganda to claim advantage going into the second half.
Junior Starlets coach Mildred Cheche on her part praised Edinah Nasipwondi, whose knowledge of Ugandan football gave her an edge in the match, and lauded young striker Brenda Achieng’, who was recently promoted from the U15 team, as a future star for Kenya.
The Halima Imbachi-captained side is eager to make history again, having previously competed in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Junior Starlets is the first Kenyan team, male or female, to play at the World Cup. The Junior Starlets recorded their first-ever victory at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, defeating Mexico 2-1 on October 24, 2024, at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez stadium, Dominican Republic.
Valerie Nekesa fired Kenya into the lead, finishing a well-crafted move initiated by Joan Ogola. before Lornah Faith doubled the lead with a brilliant finish, rendering Alexa Soto penalty goal a consolation