World Cup beckons as Junior Starlets host South Africa at Nyayo
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 12.07.26. | 08:41
With the away goals rule applying, Kenya can afford to lose by a one-goal margin and still qualify, while a draw or victory would also secure their place at the World Cup.
The Kenya Women's U17 national team’s big day has finally arrived. The Junior Starlets take on their South African counterparts in the decisive FIFA U17 Women's World Cup qualifier today, Sunday, July 12, at Nyayo National Stadium, with kick-off set for 3:00 pm.
The two teams will meet in the second leg of the third and final qualifying round, with a place at the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup at stake.
Kenya head into the match with one foot in the World Cup after securing a 2-0 away victory over South Africa in the first leg played on Saturday, July 4, at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.
Goals from Faith Boke and Brenda Achieng, either side of half-time, handed the Mildred Cheche-coached side a crucial advantage heading into the return leg at Nyayo Stadium.
Nonetheless, coach Cheche has warned her team against complacency, insisting that the tie is far from over.
“The job is not yet done. We cannot afford to be in a celebratory mood yet. We will all need to concentrate throughout the match and give our best to avoid any disappointment that may arise,” said Cheche.
With the away goals rule applying, Kenya can afford to lose by a one-goal margin and still qualify, while a draw or victory would also secure their place at the World Cup. A 2-0 defeat would send the tie to a penalty shootout, a scenario Cheche says her team has prepared for.
"I think for a game, we prepare for all situations. We prepare for a draw, we prepare for a loss, we prepare for a win. But at this particular moment, we are preparing for a win.
Having an advantage is one step, but we do not take for granted that South Africa is still a good team, so we have prepared the team for all circumstances,” noted Cheche.
For defender Pauline Sylvia Namisi, the team is determined to fulfil a promise they made to their coach.
“At the beginning of these qualifiers, coach Cheche asked us to take her to a second World Cup, and we all vowed to do our best to achieve that. This will be our time to fulfil that promise and qualify.
We also want to create history ourselves and, knowing that only 90 minutes separate us from doing so, we cannot afford to let our guard down. We will give our all on the pitch to make it to the World Cup,” said Namisi.
Her teammate Gaudencia Maloba also called on President William Ruto and Kenyan fans to fill Nyayo Stadium.
“We want to welcome all Kenyans, starting with our President, to come and watch our match. We promise that we will not disappoint him. We equally urge fans to turn up in large numbers and give us that support.
We know that South Africa are a good team and will come with a different mentality from the first leg, but we are up to the task,” stated Maloba.
South Africa, meanwhile, need to win by at least three goals to qualify for the tournament, which they last reached in 2018.
To do so, they must contain Kenya's free-scoring attack led by prolific forward Awuor, something that already concerns coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo.
“Kenya are very good and have very speedy players who like to run in behind the defence. Their attackers are also clinical and will score if given a chance,” she said.
Khumalo also made a passionate appeal to the South African community living in Kenya ahead of the crucial encounter.
“To the South African community in Kenya, I would like to urge you to come to Nyayo Stadium and support the girls. We are here and really need your support to make it to the World Cup,” stated Khumalo.
Entry to the regular stands will be free, while VIP tickets are priced at KSh500.