Junior Starlets fired up for Uganda World Cup qualifier

Kenya U-17 women’s coach Mildred Cheche is optimistic of registering a win in the upcoming 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Uganda on Saturday.

Junior Starlets completed their preparations on Wednesday at the M-Pesa Foundation in Thika ahead of the two-leg affair, with the first leg in Kampala and the return leg set for next Sunday in Nairobi.

Fresh from their historic World Cup debut in the Dominican Republic, the team is eager to build on that experience and secure an early advantage in the two-legged tie.

Coach Cheche has expressed confidence in her squad, emphasising their determination to qualify for back-to-back World Cups.

“Playing away is tough but we are ready, we are expecting a positive result; if we get the three points away good for us but if we don’t get the three points we are pushing for at least one point.

"This team is always blessed, they always work very hard, and they are motivated and always ready to play every match. We are in high spirits and we are absolutely ready for the task ahead,” Cheche said.

Captain Halima Imbachi and her teammate Anifa Bakari echoed her sentiments.

“Since we got to camp, preparation has been god, we have been working hard and we have a target to meet especially after participating in the last world cup. We need to work extra hard to achieve the fate again.

"We have to come back with three points and in the worst case scenario, one point. Our ambition is to qualify for the world cup and we won’t under estimate our opponents at all,” they averred.

The Kenyan side was one of the three African teams to compete at last year’s showpiece in the Dominican Republic.

This was the first time ever that a Kenyan team, male or female across all age categories, was playing at a World Cup.

The aggregate winner between Kenya and Uganda will meet the winner between Ethiopia and Cameroon, for one of three available African tickets to play at the World Cup next year - in Morocco.

The squad features a mix of fresh talents and some familiar faces from the previous qualification campaign, including Imbachi, Mitshel Waithera, Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevive Mithel, Elizabeth Ochaka, Joy Angela Valencia, Joan Ogola, and Lindy Weey. Halima Imbachi will captain the side.

Goalkeepers:

• Velma Abwire
• Scovia Awuor
• Ann Wavinya

• Elizabeth Ochaka
• Lorine Ilavonga
• Jenevive Mithel
• Patience Asiko
• Sharline Munasia
• Grace Mumo
• Judith Nandwa
• Faith Boke

• Halima Imbachi (Captain)
• Brenda Awuor
• Lindy Weey Atieno
• Brigit Maria
• Fleviah Khatenje
• Mwanakombo Bakari

• Anifa Bakari
• Mitshel Waithera
• Joy Angela Valencia
• Joan Ogola
• Edinah Nasipwondi
• Brenda Achieng