South Africa stand between Kenya and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup dream

Kenya’s U-17 women’s football team, the Junior Starlets, will face South Africa’s U-17 women’s team, Bantwana, in the final round of the FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers this year.

This is after South Africa booked their place after eliminating Tanzania 2–0 on aggregate, following a 0–0 draw in the return leg played in South Africa. Kenya, meanwhile, advanced after defeating Uganda on away goals, drawing 1–1 away and 0–0 at home.

The Junior Starlets and Bantwana will compete over two legs to determine who secures a single qualification ticket to the World Cup, which Morocco will host in October.

The first leg will be played in South Africa between July 3–5, while the return leg will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, between July 10–12.

After Kenya’s victory over Uganda, coach Mildred Cheche said she was prepared to face either South Africa or Tanzania, and promised changes to her squad. She noted that the team would require swift preparation, given that the fixtures are just four weeks away.

“The final round will not be easy; our zone is highly competitive, but we are ready. Because we are starting away, we must try to secure an advantage on the road so that the task becomes much easier when we return home for the second leg,” Cheche said.