FIFA U17 WWC: Junior Starlets coach indebted to fans as Kenya qualify for next round
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 19.04.26. | 13:32
Kenya turned on style in the second leg of their first-round qualifier on Saturday, thrashing Namibia 5-0 at Ulinzi Sports Complex to seal a 7-1 aggregate victory and book their place in round two
Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has praised Kenyan fans for the vital role they played in inspiring her side to a dominant win over Namibia and passage to the next round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
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Kenya turned on style in the second leg of their first-round qualifier on Saturday, thrashing Namibia 5-0 at Ulinzi Sports Complex to seal a 7-1 aggregate victory and book their place in round two.
Ugunja Township Secondary School student Brenda Achieng was the star of the show, netting a hat-trick in a commanding second-half display.
Elizabeth Opiyo and Emily Adhiambo also got on the scoresheet as the Junior Starlets overwhelmed their visitors after the break.
Unlike the first leg in Windhoek, where Kenya had to grind out a 2-1 win, the return match in Nairobi saw the girls play with far more confidence, composure, and attacking freedom.
Cheche believes the home support made a huge difference.
“Playing away, they had a fighting spirit, but playing here at home, most of the players were comfortable, and they had more encouragement from the fans. I think playing at home was far better,” said Cheche, who also serves on the Mathare United Women technical bench.
The match was played in an electric atmosphere, with Kenyan fans turning up in good numbers after a week of mobilization and marketing.
Their voices rang around the stadium throughout the contest, urging the girls on and reacting loudly to every piece of skill and attacking move.
The gaffer also reserved special praise for her young squad, insisting they have the quality to perform on any stage if they continue believing in themselves.
“Most of them are talented; they just need to step up and play on that stage, and hopefully, they will step up to the next stage also.”
The tactician further explained that tactical changes at halftime helped Kenya unlock the contest after a frustrating first half that ended goalless.
She had made one change to the team that started in Namibia, with Iddah Akinyi earning a place in the starting line-up. But after Kenya failed to score in the opening half in Nairobi, she reshuffled her side and introduced Gradious Maloba in place of Akinyi.
The switch paid off almost immediately as Achieng opened the scoring in the 46th minute before Adhiambo added a second seven minutes later to spark the rout.
“We had changes in the first eleven, and of course, we adjusted the tactical subs that gave us something better today. For the next step, we will prepare because it is going to be a tough match, but we will prepare for it.”
Kenya will now face neighbor Uganda in the second round after the Ugandans advanced with a 6-1 aggregate victory over Zimbabwe, capped by a 4-1 win in the return leg played at FUFA Stadium, Kampala, on Saturday.
The second round will be played during the FIFA international window, with the first leg scheduled for 22 to 24 May 2026 and the return leg set for 29 to 31 May 2026.
The winner of that tie will move one step closer to reaching the third and final round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.