What coach Cheche is banking on ahead of crucial FIFA U17 World Cup qualifier against Uganda
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 29.05.26. | 21:02
Junior Starlets rallied from behind to draw 1-1 in the first leg, and must win on Saturday to move into the third round
Kenya U17 women’s head coach Mildred Cheche says playing at home will serve her side better, heading into the decisive FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup second-round qualifier against Uganda at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, 30 May.
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Cheche, speaking during Friday, 29 May’s training at the facility, said being in familiar surroundings would offer the Junior Starlets a necessary mental boost, to help them dismiss their regional rivals.
The two nations settled for a 1-1 draw in the first-leg tie staged at the FUFA Stadium in Kadiba, setting up a must-win tie on Kenyan soil.
“All the players are mentally prepared, because playing at home for them is an advantage,” Cheche, who is seeking to book her second spot with the team at the World Cup in three years, said. “Playing with their home fans and their support I think is so much better for them, unlike playing away, so most of them mentally they are prepared, and are charged to give a good performance tomorrow.”
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In the aftermath of the away stalemate, Cheche pointed at moments of panic as the reason her team had a slow start, saying: “At the start of the match, our players seemed to have panicked, but this is normal, considering that they were away from our fans.”
It is the home support that she and the squad will count on, to give a full-game display, and keep their World Cup dream alive.
“Our main goal remains qualifying for the World Cup, but we are taking it one game at a time,” Cheche said. “So winning every game matters, and when we do that, we have a better chance of qualifying.”
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Regarding the team’s health, Cheche said the full squad was all available, and ready to put on a show.
“The team is fully fit, we don't have any injuries,” she said. “Most of the players who were sick, and those who struggled with minor injuries, are fit for the match, and hopefully they give us a good performance.”
When the two teams met last year in the qualifiers, Kenya wiped out the Teen Cranes 5-0 on aggregate, winning 3-0 in Nairobi.
A similar scoreline will surely be welcome.