- Junior Starlets secured a 2-0 win over Uganda in their first leg of the 2025 FIFA U17 Girls World Cup qualifying match.
- The goals came courtesy of Edinah Nasipwondi and Joan Ogola.
- The second leg fixture is expected to be played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Junior Starlets of Kenya moved a step closer to qualifying to the next round of the 2025 FIFA U17 Girls World Cup qualifiers after overcoming Uganda 2-0 in the first leg tie that was played on Saturday evening.
Edinah Nasipwondi put Junior Starlets 1-0 ahead in the 36th minute of the clash that took place at the Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala.
After the goal, the Ugandan teenagers threw everything at the Mildred Cheche tutored side as they searched for the equalizer.
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However, they problems increased shortly before the break when the pacey Joan Ogola put Junior Starlets 2-0 ahead, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb in the second half.
Despite the two sides creating several goal scoring chances in the second half, none of them managed to kiss the net.
The crucial win increases the chances of Junior Starlets progressing to the final round of the qualifying tournament where they will meet the winner between Cameroon and Ethiopia.
Should Kenya qualify for the upcoming global showpiece, they will make history by becoming the only Kenyan team to have made it to the FIFA World Cup in two consecutive occasions.
The highly anticipated tournament is slated to be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, a few weeks before the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) showdown that will also be hosted by the North African nation.
Junior Starlets became a household name in 2024 when they won all their qualifying matches and book a ticket to the FIFA World Cup that was held in the Dominican Republic.
Although the team managed to only pick up a single victory, their display against the likes of Korea DPR and England made Kenyans proud.
How Junior Starlets lined up for the match
Starting Lineup
Velma Abwire, Brenda Achieng, Edinah Nasipwondi, Elizabeth Ochaka, Halima Imbachi (Captain), Jenevive Mithel, Joan Ogola, Judith Nandwa, Lindey Weey Atieno, Lorine Ilavonga, Mwanakombo Bakari
Substitutes
Scovia Awour, Anifa Bakari, Brenda Awour, Faith Boke, Joyangela Valencia, Mitshel Waithera, Patience Asiko
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