The Junior Starlets are ready to face Cameroon after defeating Uganda 3-0 in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Coach Mildred Cheche lauds players such as Patience Asiko and Brenda Achieng. The team prepares for physical challenges and aims for a place in the finals in Morocco after their debut last year.
The Junior Starlets, Kenya’s national U17 Women’s soccer team, have expressed their confidence ahead of facing Cameroon in the third round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Under the guidance of head coach Mildred Cheche, the team advanced after a 3-0 victory over Uganda, culminating in a 5-0 aggregate score over two legs.
In the recent clash at Nyayo National Stadium, Patience Asiko netted one goal, while Brenda Achieng made a remarkable entrance by scoring a brace in her debut. Coach Cheche noted, “When we played our away match there were some gaps and we had to fix them in training… it made the team comfortable in attack.” This preparation resulted in their solid performance against Uganda.
The coach praised 13-year-old Achieng for her ability to perform under pressure, stating, “She’s really a good player… I wanted to remove pressure from her so that she’s comfortable… That’s why she was able to express herself even more.”
Kenya is set to face Cameroon on April 18 in the first leg, with the return match scheduled for a week later. Touching on the upcoming challenge, Coach Cheche remarked, “Cameroon are quite physical. We must work hard in training and on our physical.” Captain Halima Imbachi added that despite Cameroon’s intimidating size, the team is mentally prepared, asserting that “football is all about the brain, so we are ready for them.”
The victorious team across the two matches will earn qualification for the finals scheduled for October 17 to November 8 in Morocco, marking Kenya’s bid to participate in their second consecutive World Cup after debuting in last year’s tournament in the Dominican Republic.
In summary, the Junior Starlets are poised to compete against Cameroon in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after a successful run against Uganda. Coach Mildred Cheche and her team have made crucial preparations focusing on both physical fitness and psychological readiness. The team aims to secure their place in the finals in Morocco, furthering their aspirations following a notable debut in the previous tournament.
Original Source: www.kbc.co.ke
