East African regional giants Kenya are just 90 minutes away from booking a glorious spot in the global showpiece.
The Junior Starlets have wrapped up their final tactical sessions ahead of tomorrow’s decisive, final-round FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
The highly anticipated return leg takes place at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, with kick-off locked in for 3:00 PM EAT — 2:00 PM CAT.
Mildred Cheche’s tactical genius was on full display last week when the Starlets completely silenced the home crowd at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. Defying the odds, the East Africans pulled off a stunning 2-0 victory away from home to put one foot in the World Cup tournament.
Goals from Faith Boke and Brenda Achieng, combined with a heroic penalty save by goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo Ngono, handed Kenya a massive cushion.
They return to Nairobi needing only a draw or a minor loss to seal aggregate victory.
Kenya player in training earlier this week. Photo by FKFMEDIA
The Starlets’ journey to the brink of the World Cup has been a fierce showcase of East African football grit.
Just a few weeks ago, Kenya edged out regional rivals Uganda’s Teen Doves in a classic, hard-fought penultimate qualifying round. Having conquered their neighbors, they have gone a step further to prove that East African women’s football can dominate continental giants like South Africa’s Bantwana.
Head Coach Mildred Cheche, however, is refusing to let complacency creep in despite the two-goal advantage. “An away win is just the first step,” Cheche warned. “The job is only half done. We must approach tomorrow’s game as a completely fresh match if we want to confirm our ticket to the global stage.”
Key squad members Gaudencia Maloba and Pauline Namisi have called on football fans from across the region to rally behind the team tomorrow at Nyayo. With East African football pride on the line, the Junior Starlets are ready to finish the job they started in Pretoria.
