Junior Starlets face Cameroon in must-win World Cup Qualifier

Junior Starlets' Brenda Achieng (left) and Wendji Yvana 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, on April 20, 2025. [Jonah Onyango، Standard]

Junior Starlets face Cameroon Young Lionesses in the return leg of the third round of the 2025 Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé on Friday.

The Kenyans who are seeking a second straight World Cup appearance must outclass their hosts and win on aggregate to secure their ticket to this year’s event.

Going into Saturday's clash with a one goal deficit, Starlets face an uphill task for they must win by at least a two-goal difference. Their grit, determination and hunger for success will be put to test for this is the first time that they find themselves trailing and have to work much harder to overturn the deficit and win.

Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche urged her charges to keep their eyes on the prize and not let the fear of playing away stop them from achieving their dreams.

“The game is still on, we have to give our best, we have to give more than 100 per cent so we can get the equalizer and score the winning goals,” Cheche said.

Cheche exuded confidence saying that their chances of qualifying for the global event were very high due to their ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/football/article/2001517210/junior-starlets-jet-off-to-cameroon-set-for-redemption-in-world-cup-qualifier">good display at home<.

“From the chances we created victory is very much possible, don’t be intimidated because we are even better when playing away. Keep the dream alive, work hard and we will achieve.” 

With a World Cup spot at stake, Cheche will have to get it right in all aspects of the game. She must ensure that in addition to her strategy and tactical approach to the game, her players must also have the mental strength to fight on. She is also expected to make some slight changes in her starting 11.

Against Cameroon on Sunday, she made three changes to her lineup starting with Mwanakombo Bakari, Brenda Achieng and Joy Angela Valencia who all came off the bench in their 3-0 win against Uganda’s Teen Cranes.

She may opt to start Patience Asiko and Lindey Weey Atieno who all started on bench in the Sunday 0-1 loss to Cameroon.

Joan Ogola, Asiko and Atieno’s magical partnership against Uganda was missed during the clash against the Lionesses.

Atieno came in in the 32nd minute in early substitution for Achieng with Asiko coming on in the dying minutes of the game. The defensive trio of former captain Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, Judith Nandwa and Jenevive Mithel was solid despite ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/sports/article/2001516926/junior-starlets-face-young-lionesses-test-in-world-cup-qualifier">conceding through a set piece<.

Goalkeeper Velma Abwire is likely to retain her place in goal though she seemed to not have been at her best on Sunday.

Skipper Halima Imbachi will be expected to lead from the front and ensure that the Kenyan midfield is dominant and the strikers get enough ball supply to score goals. An aggregate win for Kenya will secure their spot alongside four other nations among them Morocco who automatically qualified as hosts. Nigeria, Zambia and Ivory Coast have one foot into the event having won their first leg encounters.