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Junior Starlets head to Cameroon looking to overturn deficit
Kenya's Joyangela Valencia (left) tussles for the ball Nde Yvana Wendji of Cameroon during their Fifa Under 17 World Cup qualifying match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on April 20, 2025.
What you need to know:
- As hosts, Morocco automatically qualify for the World Cup. Africa will send five representatives to the tournament.
- The 2025 edition will see the tournament expand to 24 teams, up from 18, with Morocco becoming the first African nation to host the event. Morocco will also host the tournament annually for five consecutive years, from 2025 to 2029.
Kenya’s Junior Starlets jet out to Yaoundé, Cameroon, Wednesday morning for the crucial return leg of the 2025 Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The high-stakes match is scheduled to kick off at 9pm (Kenyan time) on Friday at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé.
The Kenyan girls face a tough task as they trail 1-0 on aggregate, with Cameroon holding the slim advantage courtesy of Tiwa Milong’s 13th-minute goal during the first leg at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium last Sunday.
The stakes are enormous as the aggregate winner will secure qualification for the global finals in Morocco from October 16 to November 3.
Ahead of their departure, the Starlets held a final training session Tuesday morning at the Kasarani Annex Stadium.
They are set to travel aboard Ethiopian Airlines, with a layover in Ethiopia due to the absence of direct flights between Nairobi and Yaoundé. The team will transit through Gabon before arriving in Cameroon at 1:50 pm local time.
Meanwhile, under the guidance of coach Joseph Ndoko, the Cameroonian team opted not to return home after their narrow victory in Nairobi.
They remained in Kenya and continued their training at the Police Sacco Stadium. The West Africans were scheduled to fly back home Tuesday evening.
Looking ahead to Friday's decisive clash, Kenya coach Mildred Cheche is aiming to improve her team’s attacking efficiency.
The Starlets were heavily criticised for their wastefulness in front of goal during the first leg, particularly in the second half when they missed several promising chances.
Cameroon’s game plan in the first leg heavily relied on long and high passes, capitalising on their players’ physical advantage — especially their superior height — which allowed them to dominate aerial duels and control high balls throughout the match.
It was the first time in seven qualifying matches that the Junior Starlets had conceded an early goal, and their first defeat during this campaign. Previously, they had recorded five wins and one draw, showcasing their resilience and potential.
Elsewhere, Nigeria hold a commanding 4-0 advantage against Algeria, while Zambia lead Benin 2-1 ahead of their respective second-leg matches. Côte d’Ivoire also claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Guinea in their first leg.
As hosts, Morocco automatically qualify for the World Cup. Africa will send five representatives to the tournament.
The 2025 edition will see the tournament expand to 24 teams, up from 18, with Morocco becoming the first African nation to host the event. Morocco will also host the tournament annually for five consecutive years, from 2025 to 2029.