Junior Starlets ready for Morocco friendlies ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Junior Starlets training in Nairobi ahead of the World Cup qualifier vs Cameroon [FKF]

The Kenya U17 women's national football team, Junior Starlets, are set to face the Morocco U17 team in two friendly matches as part of their preparation for the crucial third round of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Qualifiers.

These friendly encounters are scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, on April 4, and again on April 7, 2025, both at 9 PM EAT.

The matches come at a pivotal moment as the Starlets gear up for a two-legged qualifying showdown against Cameroon, with the first match on April 20 at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, followed by the return leg on April 25 at Stade Olembe in Yaounde.

The team that secures the aggregate victory will earn a coveted spot in the 2025 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, which will be hosted in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, 2025.

Kenya's journey to this stage was marked by a strong performance against Uganda in the previous round, as they overcame their regional rivals.

Head Coach Mildred Cheche has underscored the significance of the upcoming friendly matches, viewing them as critical for fine-tuning the squad ahead of the Cameroon clash.

"The camp is doing well; the players are psyched up," Coach Cheche said.

"These two friendlies will provide us with match fitness, allowing us to assess our team and build our confidence for the match against Cameroon."

She acknowledged Morocco's technical proficiency, stressing that "they keep the ball well and are tactically very good."

Cheche also noted the contrasting style of play they can expect from Cameroon, stating, "Cameroon is very physical and relies heavily on powerplay, with strong attacking players. We need to ensure our defense is prepared and that our attack is effective as well."

The Junior Starlets are eager to make history by qualifying for the U17 FIFA Women's World Cup for a second consecutive time. With solid preparation ahead, including these challenging matches against Morocco, the team is focused on their ambition of advancing in the tournament.

Team captain Halima Imbachi expressed confidence ahead of the friendlies, stressing the importance of these games in assessing the players' readiness.

"This game is going to help us gauge ourselves as players," Imbachi stated. "We will gain valuable match fitness, and everyone in camp is determined to win so we can qualify for the World Cup again."