Kenya women’s U17 national team – Junior Starlets – edged out Namibia 2-1 in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers Namibia in the opening leg of the first round at the UNAM Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.
Midfield dynamo Lindey Weey Atieno gave Mildred Cheche‘s side the lead after only two minutes, when she lifted a long-range shot over goalkeeper Sylvia Tunga, before Faith Boke scored a quick second in the sixth minute to seemingly put the first-leg tie to bed.
A late goal by substitute Khloe Awases in the 85th minute reduced the arrears for the hosts to restore some hope of advancing.
“We had a good game, especially in the first half. The girls did really well. In the second half, not so much, but I believe it’s a learning curve for them because most of them, it’s their first time playing an international match. Hopefully they’ll settle in in the second leg,” said Kenya’s national team coach Mildred Cheche while reflecting on the performance during the post-match press conference.
Namibia head coach Woody Jacobs admitted that the Starlets’ intensity was difficult to contain, particularly in the opening minutes where two defensive errors proved costly.
With two away goals in the bag, the Starlets return home looking to make the global tournament for the second time in three years ahead of the return fixture in Nairobi on Saturday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.