Junior Starlets out to finish the job against Uganda in World Cup U17 qualifiers

The two sides shared the spoils in the first leg of the second round of the qualifiers at FUFA Stadium in Kampala last Friday, a result Cheche says was a much needed morale boost ahead of the return leg at Nyayo Stadium on May 30.

In Kampala, the hosts struck first through Shadia Nabirye, but Emily Adhiambo fired home a superb long-range effort to secure a vital away draw for the Junior Starlets in the East African derby.

“The draw is a positive result for us because playing away with a great team and being able to come back from one-nil down was a good achievement. World Cup remains our biggest motivation, and we have been there before, so that’s gives us confidence ahead of the second leg.

“Most of our players were not able to adjust to the high humidity, but most of them had settled into the game. The upcoming ones read the game well, and the bench knew which players fit at a particular time and the substitutes we made changed the game. The changes also got us more attacking options ahead of the second leg,” said Cheche.

Cheche’s opposite number Sheryl Ulanda Botes blamed her striking department for wasting more scoring opportunities, warning them against lassitude in the striking department ahead of the second leg.

“It’s good that we showed the potential of scoring goals and we need more goals in the second leg. We missed many goals in the first leg, and anyone on the bench or in the stands could see it. There is no room for mistakes, we need more goals in Nairobi.”

The Teen Cranes were handed a 5-0 loss in the hands of Kenyans in the second round of last year’s qualification cycle.

However, Cheche will look forward to welcome back to the squad her defender Rose Nangila and midfielder Lindey Weey Atieno, who were both side lined through injury.

Nangila underwent surgery after sustaining an injury during a friendly match, while Madira Soccer Assassins midfielder Atieno was nursing a waist injury.

Atieno scored the opening goal in Kenya’s previous 2-1 win over Namibia.

The aggregate winner will meet either Tanzania or South Africa in the final.