Six lessons learnt from Junior Starlets’ World Cup qualification
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Reading Time: 4min | Thu. 16.07.26. | 08:22
Kenya qualified to the global tourney for a second time, following their 5-1 aggregate victory over South Africa in their final round of qualifiers
The Kenyan Women U17 national team, Junior Starlets, produced a spectacular qualifying run to book a place in the prestigious 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, a journey that had plenty of lessons to learn.
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Kenya qualified to the global tourney following their 3-1 victory over South Africa on Sunday, 12 July, securing a 5-1 aggregate win in the third and final round of the qualifiers.
This followed a 7-1 aggregate win over Namibia in the opening round, and a 1-1 draw against Uganda in the second round, with the Junior Starlets qualifying on away goal rule.
Throughout their journey to seal a second World Cup, Mozzart Sport provided comprehensive coverage, and in this article, highlights some of the six lessons learnt.
Cheche tactical masterclass
Throughout the qualifiers, Junior Starlets tactician Mildred Cheche exhibited tactical prowess over her counterparts.
Having led the team to the 2024 World Cup and missing out on the 2025 edition in the last round, Cheche clearly knew what to do, and what not to do.
Cheche’s team was built on the foundation of a solid defensive set up, and speedy forwards to engineer quick transitions and counter attacks.
Led by captain Beverline Awuor and Brenda Awuor, the defensive set up remained solid against formidable opponents, providing confidence for the team to attack.
With Kenya on the ball, Fleviah Khatenje joined the attack to create overloads on the left side, with Pauline Sylvia remaining as the conservative full back.
The front three of Faith Boke, Brenda Achieng and Gaudancia Maloba were instructed to stretch opposition defense and utilize their speed to stretch opposition defense and attack.
Away form key to qualification
While the need to win home matches is universally accepted, the ability to win and pick points in away matches is even greater.
In their qualification journey, Junior Starlets managed a 2-1 win over Namibia in Windhoek, managed a 1-1 draw away in Uganda to qualify on away goal rule, before grabbing a 2-0 win over South Africa in Pretoria in their final round.
Coach Cheche acknowledged the importance of the team to grab away wins, terming it a key factor that helped the team to gain qualification to the World Cup.
Prior qualifier experience mattered
The Junior Starlets team benefitted immensely from the presence of players with prior qualification experience.
Lindey Weey Atieno and Brenda Awuor were part of the 2024 World Cup squad, as well as the 2025 squad that was eliminated in the last round.
The team also benefitted from the experience of captain Beverline, who plies her trade with Mathare United Women, and the evergreen Mwanakombo Bakari.
These experienced players also provided leadership and showed character when the team needed them most. Lindey, for instance, was so integral in midfield, with the Kenyan team struggling against Uganda when she was out with an injury.
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Substitutions key to unlocking games
Throughout the tournament, Cheche’s substitutions worked for Kenya. Against Namibia, Elizabeth Alizeba Opiyo came off the bench to score and provide an assist, and so were the substitutions that stabilized the Kenyan team against Uganda.
Perhaps the most impactful substitutions were in the ultimate match against South Africa, where after going down at half time. Cheche made a raft of substitutions, including that of Beryl Awuor, Emily Adhiambo and Opiyo.
Opiyo came on in the 83rd minute and won Kenya a penalty two minutes later, before finding the back of the net in the 90th minute to seal the win.
Junior Starlets key to women football development
The Success of the Junior Starlets remain a key ingredient in the development of Women football in the country.
The team probides room for naturing young talent and a pathway for future players of the Harambee Starlets.
The current WAFCON squad, for instance, has three players; Elizabeth Ochaka, Marion Serenge and Valarie Nekesa, who are graduates of the 2024 squad.
With more emphasis on idenfication of young talents, Kenya would be a force to reckon with in the continent, if not the world in decades to come.
‘12th Player’ Effect
Kenyan fans proved their worth throughout the qualifiers, rallying behind the team in all circumstances, and pushing them through the line, especially in home matches.
From the rather easy fixture against Namibia, to the tricky encounter against Uganda, and trailing against South Sudan, the fans supported the team to ensure they gained qualification to the World Cup.
©Gad Isaac