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Kenya U-17 girls step up preps for World Cup qualifier against Uganda
Junior Starlets midfielder Halima Imbachi (right) is in action against Kibera Soccer Women player during a friendly match at Kasarani Annex Stadium in Nairobi on February 24, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Junior Starlets, under the guidance of coach Mildred Cheche, have been training at Dandora Stadium and Kasarani Annex Stadium in Nairobi as they gear up for the crucial tie.
- Cheche made history last year by leading Kenya to its first-ever FIFA U17 Women's World Cup appearance in the Dominican Republic. The team finished third in Group ‘C’ with three points, signing off with a 2-1 victory over Mexico, the 2018 finalists.
Kenya's Under-17 girls' football team, Junior Starlets, intensified their training on Monday ahead of their 2025 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup qualifier against Uganda next month.
The Kenyan girls, who received a bye in the first round, will face Uganda in the second round. The first leg will be played on March 8 in Uganda, while the return leg will take place on March 16 in Nairobi at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Uganda advanced to the second round in dominant fashion, thrashing Namibia 18-0 on aggregate after securing an 8-0 win in the first leg and a 10-0 victory in the second leg last month.
Junior Starlets, under the guidance of coach Mildred Cheche, have been training at Dandora Stadium and Kasarani Annex Stadium in Nairobi as they gear up for the crucial tie.
Cheche made history last year by leading Kenya to its first-ever FIFA U17 Women's World Cup appearance in the Dominican Republic. The team finished third in Group ‘C’ with three points, signing off with a 2-1 victory over Mexico, the 2018 finalists.
Checehe, A CAF ‘B’ license holder, initially called up 51 players for the current camp but later trimmed the squad to 32. However, she faces the challenge of replacing several key players who have transitioned to the Kenya U20 team, Rising Starlets.
Among those who have moved up are defenders Diana Anyango and former captain Elizabeth Ochaka, as well as midfielders Lorna Faith and Marion Serenge.
Some of the players who were part of the World Cup squad and are still eligible for the team include goalkeepers Velma Abwire and Scovia Awuor, defenders Lorine Ilavonga and Jenevive Mithel, midfielders Lindey Weey, Halima Imbachi, and Brenda Awuor, along with forwards Joy Valencia, Joan Ogola, and Quinter Adhiambo.
On Monday, the Junior Starlets played a friendly match against Football Kenya Federation Women’s Premier League (FKF-WPL) side Kibera Soccer Women at Kasarani Annex and won 1-0, thanks to a goal from Imbachi.
“We are determined to take the team back to the World Cup after setting ourselves a high standard by qualifying for this top-level tournament. We need to push so that we don’t let our country down,” said Imbachi of Butere Girls High School after the training session.
"I did not make the final cut last year due to injury, but I am back stronger. In our away match, we have to secure three points or at least a draw, then finish the rest of the work at home,” added Anifa Bakari of Mwira Secondary.
Defender Judith Okumu stressed the importance of approaching the match with the right mindset. “It will be a tough match, and we don’t want to see Uganda as just our fellow East Africans. We have to prepare well and beat them. Our goal is to win both legs,” she said.