Kenya’s Junior Starlets will be looking to defy the odds and upset Uganda’s Teen Cranes when the two sides face off this weekend in the second round of the CAF U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
With Uganda aiming to secure its first-ever spot at the global tournament, Kenya is determined to spoil the party and keep its own dream of back-to-back World Cup appearances alive.
Having made history last year by becoming the first Kenyan team—male or female—to play at a FIFA World Cup, the Junior Starlets now face the challenge of proving that their qualification was no fluke.
Head coach Mildred Cheche is confident her side can rise to the occasion and shake off 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 there before, and we 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 solid core from last year’s squad, with former captain Elizabeth Ochaka leading a group of World Cup returnees.
However, Cheche has handed the captain’s armband 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.”
Uganda will be eager to make a statement and take a step closer to its first-ever World Cup qualification. But Kenya is banking on its experience and winning mentality to frustrate the hosts and put one foot in the next round.
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.
