- Junior Starlets hold a 2-0 aggregate lead heading into Sunday’s 3 PM return leg at Nyayo National Stadium.
- Despite the cushion, Kenya is actively preparing for all scenarios,including a potential penalty shootout.
- Standing in Kenya’s way is an experienced South African side under Ntombifuthi Khumalo, who remains unfazed by the away crowd.
Kenya’s Junior Starlets will host South Africa’s Bantwana at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday afternoon in the second leg of the final round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier, with kickoff scheduled for 3pm.
The fixture serves as the decisive battle for a ticket to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The match serves as a historic milestone for the hosts, as a successful aggregate would secure Kenya its second-ever appearance at the global showpiece.
For South Africa, it is a do-or-die mission to overturn a deficit away from home, looking to spoil the impending celebrations of the home fans in Nairobi.
Junior Starlets vs South Africa Team news
Kenya Junior Starlets
Head coach Mildred Cheche boasts an almost entirely full squad ahead of the decisive clash. The only notable selection hurdle for the hosts is the absence of midfielder Grace Mumo, who has been ruled out of the tie due to illness.
South Africa Bantwana
Head coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo has her full squad of internationally experienced starlets available. Her squad relies heavily on the pedigree of players who have already transitioned through the U15 and U20 national structures, with a few already training with the senior national team, Banyana Banyana.
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Mildred Cheche is remaining grounded and has worked extensively on preparing her team for psychological hurdles, including the threat of a penalty shootout.
“Having an advantage is one step, but we do not take for granted that South Africa is still a good team. I think for a game, we prepare for all situations. We prepare for a draw, we prepare for a loss, we prepare for a win. But at this particular moment, we are preparing for a win.”
The former Banyana Banyana player says her team is completely unfazed by the hostile away environment and is focused entirely on execution in the final third.
“We need to be cautious because the first leg the result was not in our favor, but we know that the 90 minutes will be fair for both of us to make the decision for who will go to the World Cup. What we did, we need to try to do our best when it comes to the final third because we created so many chances, we failed to convert those chances.”
Kenya secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium last week, courtesy of goals from Faith Boke and Brenda Achieng, alongside a penalty save by goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo.
South Africa must now score at least three unreplied goals on Sunday afternoon to secure automatic qualification to the World Cup.