Junior Starlets Leave for South Africa Ahead of Decisive World Cup Qualifier

Kenya’s Junior Starlets have departed for Pretoria, South Africa, ahead of Saturday’s crucial first-leg clash against Bantwana in the final round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers at Lucas Moripe Stadium. The two-legged tie will determine which side secures a place at this year’s tournament in Morocco.

Coach Mildred Cheche’s charges are chasing a second successive appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after making history in 2024 by becoming the first Kenyan football team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. They went on to represent the country at the tournament in the Dominican Republic, marking a major milestone for Kenyan football.

The Starlets head into the encounter in confident mood following an impressive qualifying campaign. The team believes a positive result in Pretoria will provide a solid foundation ahead of the return leg in Nairobi, where qualification for the global showpiece will be at stake.

Cheche has expressed confidence in her squad’s preparedness, with the players eager to rise to the occasion against a South African side that also harbours ambitions of returning to the world stage.

Kenya will be seeking to maintain the momentum that has seen the Junior Starlets emerge as one of the country’s brightest football success stories, with another World Cup appearance now just 180 minutes away.