Junior Starlets focused on World Cup berth as Cameroon come calling

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