Kenya’s U17 women’s national football team, the Junior Starlets, is preparing for a critical World Cup qualifier showdown against Uganda in March 2025. This match marks the team’s first competitive action since their historic debut at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Kenya, who received a bye in the opening round of the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, now faces a formidable Ugandan side in a two-legged tie. The first leg is slated to take place between March 7 and 9, 2025, with the return leg scheduled between March 14 and 16, 2025.
Focused Preparations
Junior Starlets head coach, Mildred Cheche, expressed confidence in her team’s readiness for the challenge ahead. “Our focus is firmly set on the upcoming qualifiers, and we are fully committed to achieving our goal of qualifying for the World Cup,” Cheche said.
She highlighted the importance of the recently concluded Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) in Tanzania in their preparations. “The GIFT tournament provided an excellent platform for us. We had two Kenyan teams competing, with one securing third place and the other finishing fifth. It was an invaluable opportunity to assess our players in a competitive setting and refine their skills ahead of the qualifiers,” she added.
Uganda’s Confidence Boost
Meanwhile, Uganda comes into the match with momentum, having crushed Namibia 18-1 on aggregate in the first round. Their head coach, Sheryl Botes Ulanda, praised her team’s performance but acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“We are happy with how the team performed against Namibia. However, we expect a tougher test against Kenya, who have already competed at the FIFA World Cup. We need to prepare well because it will not be easy,” Botes noted.
An East African Showdown
Both teams are determined to represent East Africa on the global stage, promising an electrifying clash between regional rivals. For Kenya, the qualifiers present an opportunity to build on their World Cup experience, while Uganda will look to cement their growing reputation with a strong performance.
