Junior Starlets face tough test in Cameroon after loss at Nyayo

Junior Starlets' Mwanakombo Bakari (left) and Chelsy Ngong of Cameroon national team 'Baby Lionesses in the first leg of their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier final round tie at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, on April 20, 2025. [Jonah Onyango، Standard]

Sunday was a bad day in the office as Junior Starlets suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in a 2025 Fifa Under 17 Women World Cup qualifier at the Nyayo Stadium.

The youngsters who are looking to secure their second straight appearance at global show gave their best but the gods of football had other plans denying them the joy of putting one foot into the World Cup. 

Junior Starlets coach Mildred Cheche said that they had a good game but failed to utilise the chances they created.

"We had a good game but did not utilise the chances we created. We had more chances than them but didn't score. Cameroon should expect a tough match at home," Cheche said.

Cameroon coach Joseph Ndoko admitted that his charges indeed struggled against the Kenyans saying that they don't expect to have it easy in the second leg. 

"We won but Kenya could also have won the game because they were very strong and made us work very hard for the victory. I don't know how to prepare the team ahead of the second leg but we will definitely make some tactical changes," Ndoko said.

The two sides were unmatched in physique with the Cameroonians seemingly the stronger side thanks to their size advantage.

However, the Kenyans fought on controlling the game and enjoying ball possession as their guests resorted to defensive players for the better part of the first half.

Brenda Achieng would have a one on one encounter with the Young Lionesses keeper. Jessica Mabou after beating their defence but her effort went wide. Starlets would continue pushing for a goal but were stopped by a gritty Cameroon defence that was determined to protect their backline. 

A defensive error would gift the Lionesses a ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/sports/article/2001516977/junior-starlets-lose-1-0-to-cameroon-in-world-cup-qualifier-first-leg">corner that proved costly< as captain Lys Tiwa headed past goalkeeper Velma Abwire to give the guests a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute. 

Cheche who had made changes to her starting 11 against Uganda would make an early substitution bringing in Linsey Weey Atieno for Brenda Achieng in the 32nd minute. 

Starlets intensified their hunt for an equaliser making several attempts but luckily was not on their side as the first half ended on a one goal deficit. 

On resumption, the Junior Starlets were without doubt the better side as they pressed deep into the Cameroon half. The Kenyan girls terrorised the Cameroonians who resorted to unfair play using delay tactics, faking injuries and wasting time with their goalkeeper Mabou leading the way.

Despite dominating the game and troubling the Lionesses, Starlets ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/amp/sports/2001516926/junior-starlets-face-young-lionesses-test-in-world-cup-qualifier">missed countless scoring opportunities< with some of their strikes hitting the crossbar. 

Kenya now have an uphill task for they must win away in Yaounde in order to qualify for the global show.