Junior Starlets focused on World Cup berth as Cameroon come calling

Junior Starlets players at a past training session/PHOTO/ Courtesy FKF
Junior
Starlets assistant coach David Vijago has backed Kenya to pip Cameroon in their
bid to qualify for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, a feat that could see
the young lasses make a historic second consecutive appearance at the games.
The starlets will take on Cameroon in the final round of qualifiers, with the first leg set
for Sunday, April 20, at Nyayo Stadium, before a return leg on April 25 at
Stade Olembe in Yaoundé.
In an
interview with Citizen Digital, Vijago, who also doubles up as KWPL side Kibera
Soccer Ladies coach, radiated optimism, backing Starlets to get the job done against
Cameroon.
“The
preparation is going on well, and we are looking forward to beating Cameroon. Our
opponents love playing a physical game, but we have trained our girls on how to contain them come Sunday.
“We have
few players who picked knocks like Joan Ogola but I’m happy that they are doing
well and will be back on the pitch soon.”
Starlets
returned to the country on Thursday, April 10, alongside their junior
counterparts after completing international friendly matches in the Ivory Coast
and Morocco, respectively.
They
ended their North African trip on a high, beating the hosts 2-0 on Monday at
the Mohammed VI Sports Complex, after a 1-1 draw in the first friendly on April
4 at the same venue.
“The two
international friendlies we had with Morocco were very crucial to us, and they
gave us a chance to gauge the players.
‘The
players in the camp are responding well, and what we are appealing for now is for
our fans to turn up in large numbers to support the girls.
“The
girls need the 12th player, who is the fan, to boost their morale. Let’s fill
Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.”
The team
earned their spot in the third and final round after a spirited performance
against Uganda in the second round.
They
displayed skill, grit, and resilience to edge out their regional rivals with an
emphatic 5-0 aggregate.
The 9th
edition of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, the international women's youth
football championship contested by the under-17 national teams of the member
associations of FIFA will be hosted by Morocco from 7 October to 8 November,
2025
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