Kenya’s Junior Starlets have qualified for the FIFAS U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Coach Mildred Omari Cheche became the first Kenyan coach to guide the Junior Starlets to a second FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after the first one in 2024.

Kenya defeated South Africa 3-1 in the return leg of the final phase of the qualifiers played at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday. The win saw Kenya qualify on a 5-1 goal aggregate.

Cheered on by the home fans, Kenya scored through Gaudancia Maloba, Brenda Awuor and Elizabeth Alizeba, while Katleho Malebana netted for the visiting South African side.

“I am very happy that my players have worked hard and remained focused to win the two legs and qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup,” said Cheche after the match.

Hussein Mohammed, the President Football Kenya Federation (FKF) also praised the team for the hard work. “Congratulations to our Junior Starlets! You’ve done it. Kenya is officially headed to the U-17 FIFA World Cup. This wasn’t luck. This was work,” said the FKF President.

In another match played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, hosts Ethiopia settled for a 1-1 draw against Zambia to bow out 3-2 on goal aggregate.

Kenya now join Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana and hosts Morocco as the five teams that will represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to take place in Morocco later this year.

Three referees from the CECAFA Zone have been selected to officiate at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025.

Kenya’s Josephine Wanjiru and Alice Umutesi (Rwanda) and Fides Banjurambona (Burundi) have been selected by FIFA Referees Committee.

Wanjiru is among the 18 referees selected, while Umutesi and Banjurambona is among the 36 assistants announced on July 31^st.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup which will attract 24 teams will take place October 17^th to November 8^th in Morocco.

Mauritania’s Yacine Samassa is the other African referee selected, while the assistants include; Yara Atef (Egypt) and Tabara Mbodji (Senegal).

Hosts Morocco, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Zambia will represent Africa at the tournament.

It will be the first time the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Africa. North Korea are the defending champions, having won a record third title in 2024.

The head coach of Kenya Junior Starlets, Mildred Cheche has said they are going all out to try and pick a win in their last Group C match against Mexico at the on-going FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Kenya lost their opening match 2-0 to England, and suffered a 3-0 defeat to North Korea on Monday.

However, head coach Cheche has made it clear that although it is a new experience for her team, the players are determined to go all out and give their best when they face Mexico on October 24^th.

“Although we have lost the first two matches, we are still determined to go out and win against Mexico. This tournament has given all of us players and coaches something to learn because of the great exposure,” says Cheche.

North Korea who have scored seven goals sand conceded once in their two matches top Group C with six points, while England who also have six points are in second place. Kenya who are yet to score a goal and have conceded five goals are bottom of the group.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, while the bottom two will exit the tournament. This will be the last U-17 World Cup with 16 teams, as the tournament will expand to 24 teams from the 2025 edition.

The Kenya Junior Starlets have made a losing start falling to England in their opening Group C match at the on-going FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 in Dominican Republic

Coach Mildred Cheche’s team that was making their debut to the big stage started well at the CFC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballetros on Friday, but failed to find the punch at the England goal. Kenya conceded a penalty after 29 minutes through Lola Sangita Brown and a late goal after 87 minute through Lauryn Ida Belle Thompson.

The duo of Marion Serenge and Valerie Nekesa kept the England defending line busy, but failed to find the break through to score.

“Although we lost our opening match, I am happy that the team gave their best but made a few mistakes especially defensively. We must now prepare for the next match against Korea DPR,” said coach Cheche.

Korea DPR who humbled Mexico 4-1 in the opening match are now top of Group C, while Kenya are in third place. The Kenya Junior Starlets will conclude their group stage matches against Mexico on the October 24^th, 2024.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, while the bottom two will exit the tournament. This will be the last U17 World Cup with 16 teams, as the tournament will expand to 24 teams from the 2025 edition.