Junior Starlets depart for Rabat ahead of friendlies against Morocco

Under 17 women’s national team, Junior Starlets departed for Morocco on Wednesday morning ahead of the two high-profile friendly matches against Morocco U17 scheduled for April 4 and April 7, 2025, in Rabat.

The friendlies will serve as crucial preparation for the Junior Starlets ahead of their final FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Cameroon.

The first leg is set for Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Nyayo Stadium, with the return leg scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025, at Stade Olembe.

The aggregate winner will secure a spot at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, set to take place in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, 2025.

Head Coach Mildred Cheche has emphasized the importance of the upcoming friendlies in fine-tuning the squad ahead of the Cameroon clash.

“The camp is going well, and the players are psyched up. We have two friendly matches to test where we are as a team.

“The friendly will give us much fitness to be able to assess ourselves as a team and also to give the players confidence to play against Cameroon.

“Morocco keeps the ball mostly, is a very technical team to play against, and is also good tactically.

“Cameroon is a very physical team, and they like power play. They also have good strikers, which means we have to prepare our defense well.

“We also need to prepare our forward to score early goals, which will give us confidence to win the match.”

“The morale is high in the camp, and as players, we are eager to play against Cameroon home and Away.

“Our aim of beating them and qualifying for the World Cup for the second time in a row is something which I believe we can achieve if we maintain the focus and prepare well.”

The team earned their spot in the third round after a spirited performance against Uganda in the second round.

They displayed skill, grit, and resilience to edge out their regional rivals.

Kenya is chasing history with the dream of making it to the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the second consecutive time.