Kenya’s Junior Starlets will look to defy the odds and upset Uganda’s Teen Cranes when the two sides clash this weekend in the second round of the CAF U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
With Uganda aiming for its first-ever appearance at the global tournament, Kenya is determined to spoil the party and keep its dream of consecutive World Cup qualifications alive. Having made history last year as the first Kenyan team—male or female—to compete at a FIFA World Cup, the Junior Starlets now face the challenge of proving their success was no fluke.
Head coach Mildred Cheche is confident that her team can rise to the occasion and handle the pressure of facing a determined Ugandan squad.
“We know Uganda is a tough team, and they will be pushing hard to qualify,” Cheche told CAFOnline. “But we’ve been here before and understand what it takes. That experience gives us an edge, and we are ready to fight for another World Cup spot.”
The Junior Starlets retain a strong core from last year’s squad, with former captain Elizabeth Ochaka leading a group of World Cup returnees. However, Cheche has entrusted the captaincy to Halima Imbachi, who is eager to guide Kenya past their regional rivals.
“It’s an honor to lead this team, and we’re going to Uganda with one goal—to win,” Imbachi said. “We know they are strong, but we have the hunger and experience to get the result we need.”
While Uganda is determined to take a step closer to a historic World Cup qualification, Kenya is banking on its experience and winning mentality to frustrate the hosts and inch closer to another global appearance.
The winner of this tie will face either Ethiopia or Cameroon for one of Africa’s three slots at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
