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Junior Starlets resume training ahead of Cameroon clash

Junior Starlets

Edinah Nasipwondi (left) of Kenya takes on Ugandan defender Shamirah Namukabirye during the first leg of their 2025 Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup qualifier at Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala.

Photo credit: Courtesy of FKF
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By  Toto Arege

Correspondent

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • The team received a bye in the first round of qualifiers, alongside Zambia and Nigeria, who represented Africa at the 2024 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic last October.
  • The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be held annually from 2025, with the tournament expanding from 18 to 24 teams. Morocco will host the event from 2025 to 2029, with the first African edition scheduled to take place from October 16 to November 3, 2025.

The Kenya Under-17 Junior Starlets resumed camp on Thursday evening after a week's break, intensifying their preparations for the third round of the 2025 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon next month.

Kenya will host Cameroon on April 4 before travelling to Yaoundé for the return leg on April 25. To sharpen their skills ahead of the crucial tie, the team will play international friendlies against Morocco.

As of Thursday, 10 players, led by head coach Mildred Cheche, had arrived at Stadion Hotel in Nairobi, where the squad will be based. More players are expected to join before the weekend, with training set to take place at Kasarani Annex Stadium.

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The squad returned to camp after an impressive 5-0 aggregate victory over Uganda’s Teens Cranes in the second round earlier this month. Following the win, the players took a short break to attend school before reassembling.

On Thursday, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, newly elected Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussen Mohammed, and Deputy President McDonald Mariga visited the team in camp to express their support.

"The government promised them support, admitting that the success has been from the team itself," said Mvurya.

"The President’s pledge is to identify grassroots talent, and this team demonstrates our commitment to searching for and nurturing young players. Besides enhancing sports facilities nationwide, we are dedicated to developing talent resources."

With the backing of the government and FKF, the players are confident about their chances.

"Camp morale is high, and the squad is eager to progress beyond the group stages. Emphasizing the necessity for tactical acumen as much as physical prowess, and supported by the technical bench, the Starlets desire to turn their dream into reality," said team captain and defender Lorine Ilavonga.

Coach Cheche expressed satisfaction with the team’s return to training.

"Most of the players are finishing exams and will be here by Friday morning. We are happy to report back to camp with the federation and government support."

The team received a bye in the first round of qualifiers, alongside Zambia and Nigeria, who represented Africa at the 2024 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic last October.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be held annually from 2025, with the tournament expanding from 18 to 24 teams. Morocco will host the event from 2025 to 2029, with the first African edition scheduled to take place from October 16 to November 3, 2025.