Bring on Cameroon!

“Cameroon is a physical team, and we need to strengthen our squad,” said Cheche, a CAF ‘A’ license holder. She noted that most players from last year’s debut World Cup squad had been retained, with only minor changes.

Kenya will host Cameroon on April 4 before traveling for the return leg in Yaoundé on April 25. Cameroon advanced after a 6-2 aggregate win over Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

Despite the challenge, Cheche remains confident in her squad’s ability to make history once again.

“We addressed gaps identified in our first-leg match against Uganda and made the necessary changes. The players have great mental strength and motivate each other more than the technical bench can,” said Cheche, who led Kenya to its first-ever Women’s World Cup appearance last year in the Dominican Republic.

The Starlets’  squad featured seven players with previous World Cup experience, including goalkeeper Velma Abwire, defenders Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevive Mithel, and Elizabeth Ochaka, midfielder Lindy Weey, and forwards Halima Imbachi and Joan Ogola.

Kenya was among the seeded teams, alongside Nigeria, Zambia, and Burundi, who all received first-round byes.

Yesterday’s match at Nyayo National Stadium was not just a football contest, but a historic moment for the venue, which had been under renovation since August last year.

The Junior Starlets thrilled the home crowd with a dominant 3-0 win over Uganda in the second leg of their qualifier.

Brenda Achieng was the star of the show, coming off the bench to score twice, while Patience Asiko netted the opener in the third minute.

Kenya had earlier won the first leg 2-0 in Kampala on March 8, completing a convincing 5-0 aggregate victory over their East African rivals.

A win over Cameroon in the final round will see Kenya qualify for the Women’s Under-17 World Cup for a second consecutive time.

Under Cheche’s leadership, Kenya made its World Cup debut last year, finishing third in Group ‘C’ and registering a memorable 2-1 victory over Mexico.

Yesterday’s match attracted a sizable home crowd, with Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum and opposition politician Martha Karua among the dignitaries in attendance.

Cheche kept faith in her first-leg squad, making just one change—Patience Asiko replacing Nlela Bakari.
On the other hand, Uganda’s South African coach Sheryl Botes made two changes, bringing in Halima Mupyanga and Loyce Komugisha for Shadiah Nabirye and Shamirah Namucabrye.

Uganda had a bright start, forcing goalkeeper Velma Abwire into an early second-minute save. However, Kenya responded swiftly, Asiko scoring in the third minute after dribbling into the box and sending Uganda’s goalkeeper Haira Nabbosa the wrong way.

The early goal ignited celebrations among home fans, and Kenya nearly doubled the lead in the ninth minute, but a mix-up between Asiko and Joan Ogola saw the chance wasted.

Despite Uganda’s best efforts, their attacking threat was limited to free kicks, with captain Agnes Nabukenya, Charity Katusiime, and Martha Babirye failing to capitalize.

In the second half, Kenya introduced Achieng for Edinah Nasipwondi, and the substitute made an immediate impact.

She scored five minutes before full-time and added another in extra time, sealing Kenya’s emphatic victory.

After the game, Uganda coach Sheryl Botes admitted it was a tough outing for her side.

“We aimed to secure maximum points in Kenya, but things didn’t go as planned. No coach prepares a team to lose,” she said.

Botes, who took over the Uganda team in 2023, emphasised that her long-term goal was to transform the philosophy of women’s football in Uganda and put the country on the global map.