Historic Qualification for Junior Starlets
Kenya‘s Junior Starlets have successfully secured their place in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, marking their second appearance at the global tournament. This achievement follows their victory over South Africa‘s Bantwana with a 3-1 scoreline in the second leg of the final qualifying round. The match took place at Nyayo National Stadium, culminating in a 5-1 aggregate win for the Kenyan side.
This qualification is particularly significant as the Junior Starlets previously made history in 2024 by becoming the first Kenyan football team to qualify for any FIFA World Cup. Their consistent performance has now led to another qualification for the tournament, which will be held in Morocco.
Match Details and Coach’s Reaction
The decisive second leg saw the Junior Starlets come from behind after conceding an early goal. Katlebo Malehana of South Africa capitalized on a defensive error just five minutes into the game, putting pressure on the home team. Despite the early setback, the Kenyan girls managed to hold their ground until halftime.
The second half witnessed a strong comeback from the Junior Starlets. Gaudancia Makokha leveled the score in the 70th minute with a header from a cross. Substitute Elizabeth Opiyo then played a crucial role, earning a penalty in the 86th minute, which Brenda Awuor converted. Opiyo further solidified the victory by scoring the third goal after receiving a pass from Brenda Achieng.
Coach Mildred Cheche expressed her delight following the match, attributing the success to hard work and belief. She praised the team’s maturity in the second half, especially after overcoming initial stage fright. “The girls had some stage fright at the start and played with some fear. We went back to the dressing room at halftime and reminded them that we are playing at home and even if they had never played in front of this huge number of fans, we had to step up and get results at home and I am glad they responded well in the second half,” Coach Cheche stated.
Presidential Recognition and Future Ambitions
Following their qualification, President William Ruto extended his congratulations to the Junior Starlets, acknowledging their achievement in making the country proud. He pledged his full support for the team as they prepare for the tournament in Morocco. The President is scheduled to host the team at State House, Nairobi.
In addition to the presidential recognition, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko rewarded the team with Sh1 million. This support underscores the national pride associated with the team’s success on the international stage.
Coach Cheche is already setting ambitious goals for the team’s second appearance in the World Cup. With only one win in their debut two years prior, the focus is now on achieving better results. “We now have to prepare well and focus on getting better results. We want to go past the group stages and I believe we have the ability to do it,” she noted, highlighting the team’s determination to advance further in the competition.
The Junior Starlets had previously secured a 2-0 away win in the first leg, meaning they only needed to avoid defeat in Nairobi to confirm their qualification.
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Source: the-star.co.ke
