Starlets braced up for Angola challenge in FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier

The Kenya Women’s U20 National Team, the Rising Starlets, will look to capitalize on home advantage and floor Angola when the two sides meet on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Starlets will be hosting Angola in the first leg of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier, with the return leg set for Saturday.

Coach Beldine Odemba, who is still basking in the glory of helping the senior team, the Harambee Starlets, eliminate Cameroon from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, will hope to have a fine start with the junior team.

Odemba, along with the team, walked into camp a week ago to prepare for the clash against the visiting side, who jetted in Saturday.

Starlets warmed up for the clash with a comfortable 19-0 win over the Kahawa Pride ladies. It was after watching her girls annihilate Kahawa that Odemba expressed optimism about edging Angola and advancing to the third round.

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Despite nearly all of the players being new on the grand stage, Odemba, who has amassed a wealth of experience having coached and trained upcoming tacticians, remained confident of getting the job done.

“This is the first time we are calling the under-20 team, and most of them are new to the fold, though they are psychologically ready to handle the pressure that comes with national team duty,” she said in her final engagement with the press before the tie.

The winner of the tie on aggregate will face the winner of the second-round clash between Cameroon and Botswana in the third round.

Rising Starlets buoyant ahead of Angola test

Only two teams from Africa will qualify for the global showpiece after five qualifying rounds.

FIFA increased the number of teams taking part in the event from 16 to 24.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m.