The Junior Starlets, coached by Mildred Cheche, are optimistic as they prepare to face Uganda Women U17 in a FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup qualifier. Following a successful warm-up match, the team aims for a favorable outcome and seeks to build on their historic 2024 World Cup qualification. They are determined to advance in the tournament, emphasizing teamwork and resilience.
The Junior Starlets, led by coach Mildred Cheche, have arrived in Kampala with high hopes as they prepare for their 2025 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup qualifier against Uganda Women U17. This pivotal first leg of the Second Qualifying Round will commence on Saturday at 4 PM at Nakivubo Stadium. The team is eager to secure a positive outcome as they aim for consecutive World Cup qualifications.
In their recent buildup, the Junior Starlets showcased their readiness with a 3-0 victory over Kenya Police Bullets. The team made history in 2024 by becoming the first Kenyan national squad, across all genders and age levels, to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, achieving this feat by defeating Burundi Women’s U17. Coach Cheche expressed confidence saying, “Playing away is tough but we are ready. We are expecting a positive result of either a win or a draw. This team is motivated and in high spirits. We are ready.”
Accompanying Cheche to Uganda, the squad comprises 23 players, including eight who contributed to last year’s historic qualification. Team captain Halima Imbachi emphasized the team’s focus and respect for their opponents, stating, “We are aware of the challenge that is ahead of us and we know that we have to work harder than we did last year. Uganda also has a good team and so, it will not be an easy game.”
Imbachi also highlighted their aspirations for the World Cup, articulating that if Kenya qualifies, they aim to advance beyond the group stages, improving on their past performance where they were eliminated early. “Last year we were eliminated at the group stages and since we are always working hard to improve ourselves, at this year’s World Cup we will be aiming to go beyond the group stages if we qualify for the tournament,” she added.
The 2025 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup will take place in Morocco from 17 October to 8 November, featuring an expanded roster of 24 teams, with Africa securing five slots. Should the Junior Starlets triumph over Uganda, they will face either Cameroon Women U17 or Ethiopia Women U17 for a chance to qualify further.
In their prior campaign, the Junior Starlets impressively qualified for the World Cup without conceding a goal, defeating teams such as DR Congo, Ethiopia, and Burundi. Conversely, Uganda, yet to qualify for the tournament, was eliminated in the previous qualifying round. This year, they commenced their campaign with an overwhelming 18-1 aggregate victory against Namibia, demonstrating their competitiveness.
The Junior Starlets are poised for a challenging yet promising qualifier match against Uganda, reflecting their aspirations to secure a position in the 2025 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup. With a blend of experience from past successes and a strong squad, their determination to advance beyond previous performances sets a hopeful tone for the upcoming fixtures. As they work toward qualification, their focus on improvement and respect for their opponents remains paramount.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
