FIFA U17 WWC: Cheche reveals area of concern ahead of second leg clash with Namibia

Kenya women's U17 head coach Mildred Cheche says she is glad with how the Junior Starlets side handled business against Namibia in the first leg of their 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Qualifiers, but will need to stay alert in the return tie later this week.

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The Junior Starlets, who are looking to qualify for their second World Cup in three years, began their path to this year’s tournament on the right footing, beating Namibia 2-1 in the first leg of the opening round on Sunday, 12 April at the UNAM Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.

Cheche’s side needed two quick goals from the experienced duo of Lindey Weey Atieno and Faith Boke, who scored twice inside the first six minutes, to see Kenya carry a slim advantage heading into the home second-leg scheduled for Saturday, 18 April at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.

FIFA U17 WWCQ: Junior Starlets edge Namibia to take advantage ahead of second-leg tie in Nairobi

“Feeling great,” Cheche told NBC Sport shortly after her team’s win. “The girls have given their best. It was a tough match for them because most of them are young, new players in the team, so I am glad they were able to pull through.”

Of her final 23-player squad called up for the Namibia tie, only two players - Lindey Weey and Brenda Awuor - were in the team’s World Cup squad in the Dominican Republic two years ago.

At the same time, only a handful, including goalscorer Boke, Mwanakombo Bakari, Grace Mumo, Faith Boke, Brenda Achieng and Fleviah Khatenje, were involved during last year’s failed qualifying bid.

It was no surprise as Cheche went with all bar one of the aforementioned names on away soil on Sunday, with her only regret being that despite Starlets dominating large proportions of the game, ended up only a goal to the good, with Namibia halving the deficit late through substitute Khloe Awases.

“Initially, we wanted to score more goals in the early first half, but we lost a lot of chances,” Cheche said of an opening period that saw Kenya pepper the Namibia goal with 11 total attempts, but only scored twice. “We are going to work on that, and see what the second leg brings.”

Having bossed the first half, the Junior Starlets were expected to handle the much-inexperienced Baby Gladiators with similar ease, only to cede possession to the hosts, a trait that Cheche hopes will not creep in during the return tie.

“I think making sure the players don’t underrate Namibia,” Cheche said when asked what would be her keys to ensuring Kenya won also in the home second leg. “In the second half, I would say we didn't play with a lot of aggression; we didn't do so well, so we are going to also work on that.”

More work to do then for Cheche, with a place in the second round begging.