Friday 07th March, 2025 11:30 AM|
The nationwide U17 ladies’s workforce has set base in Kampala, Uganda and can start its quest for a back-to-back FIFA World Cup qualification in opposition to the Crested Cranes tomorrow afternoon on the Nakivubo Stadium.
Juniors Starlets which has set the ‘marking-scheme’ of Kenyan soccer following their monumental qualification to the U17 World Cup final 12 months within the Dominican Republic is brimming with optimism forward of their second-round tie in opposition to neighbors Uganda, searching for victory to go a step nearer to a different sporting milestone.
Head coach Mildred Cheche says that includes within the world showpiece final 12 months provides Kenya an edge in opposition to their opponents who’re searching for a maiden qualification.
“It gives us an edge because of the massive exposure that our players got from taking part in the U17 World Cup. The players who featured in that tournament are encouraging the new faces in the team about the goodness of playing on that big stage. That gives the team needed morale to perform well in the search for another qualification. There is that desire to fight for something and to remain at the top,” Coach Cheche instructed People Sport.
Coach Cheche who’s main the workforce for the second time named a robust squad for the Kampala task. The listed travelling get together consists of Kenya Police Bullets’ defender Elizabeth Ochaka who captained Junior Starlets on the World Cup in Dominicano.
Ochaka, was not named within the provisional squad and had even graduated to the senior nationwide aspect Harambee Starlets, drafted within the ultimate workforce that confronted Tunisia final month within the 2026 WAFCON Qualifiers.
Other acquainted faces who have been a part of world cup squad are Halima Imbachi who’s the brand new captain, Mitshel Waithera, Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevive Mithel, Elizabeth Ochaka, Joy Angela Valencia, Joan Ogola, and Lindy Weey Atieno.
Uganda thrashed Namibia 18-1 on mixture (0-10 and 8-1) to e-book a spot within the second spherical of this qualification marketing campaign.
However, that resounding end result for Kenya’s hosts doesn’t scare coach Cheche forward of the showdown tomorrow afternoon.
“We cannot say that the match will be easy. It will not be easy for sure but more so, we cannot afford to discourage ourselves on our potential to give a good fight. In this case, the quality of the opponent is different. Uganda themselves know that Kenya is different from Namibia and therefore it will be a different ball-game for each team. The most determined team will carry the day,” Cheche added.
The return leg will likely be staged in Nairobi on March 16 and the mixture winner of the tie will face both Cameroon or Ethiopia within the third and ultimate spherical of the qualifiers.