- The Junior Starlets vs Uganda match will start at 3 PM.
- The second leg tie will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
The Kenya U17 Girls football team popularly known as the Junior Starlets are set to clash with East African rivals Uganda in the second leg of the 2025 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Junior Starlets will prepare for the game that is scheduled to be held at the Nyayo National Stadium with a slim advantage.
The side, which is coached by Mildred Cheche, picked up a 2-0 win over their opponents in the first leg tie that was staged in Uganda on Saturday, March 8.
Edinah Nasipwondi and Joan Ogola were on the score sheet for Junior Starlets in that game that was played at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala.
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Nasipwondi opened the scoring in the closing stages of the first half when she fired a ferocious shot past Uganda’s goalkeeper Haira Nabbosa from a close range.
On the other hand, Ogola, who was part of the Junior Starlets squad that took part in the 2024 FIFA U17 Girls World Cup, scored a lovely goal at the stroke of half time.
Therefore, Kenya just needs to curb Uganda in the return leg and proceed to the final round of the tournament.
Junior Starlet’s game plan
Speaking ahead of the encounter that is expected to kick off at 3 PM, Cheche stated that the job is not done yet.
“We want not to concede because that is the first step of moving to the next round and also to be able to score at least a goal or two at home.
Of course, they have a few strengths. Their front line is good, they have a good number 10 who is able to shoot from any angle. So, we have to be vigilant of the key players and their way of play,” she explained.
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Cheche, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in International Management degree, further disclosed that most of the players are fit and ready for the battle with the exception of one who is nursing a minor injury.
Junior Starlets skipper Halima Imbachi echoed her coach’s sentiment, stating that they must score more goals in order to stand a chance of booking the ticket to the last round.
“This is a very big game to us because if we get a win here, we know that we expect to meet Cameroon next. I have hopes we will meet Cameroon in the next round which will also be a very big game.
So, tomorrow, we should win. I can’t say that the game is already over because we still have 90 minutes of football to play and I can’t also say that those two away goals have helped us a lot. Tomorrow, we need to get more goals,” commented Imbachi.
Junior Starlets’ captain makes plea to Kenyans
Imbachi ended by requesting Kenyans to feel the Nyayo National Stadium and give them the needed support.
“So, my fellow Kenyans, I would like to urge you to turn up in large numbers and support us. Our families, coaches and other players give us motivation. We will feel happy when you are behind us,” she offered.
Should Junior Starlets qualify for the next round, they will meet either Ethiopia or Cameroon in the third qualifying round that is set to be played in April.
The winner of the two legs will book a ticket to the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup that will be held in Morocco between October 17 and November 8.