The Junior Starlets, led by coach Mildred Cheche, aim for back-to-back World Cup qualifications as they prepare to face Uganda Women U17 in the 2025 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup qualifiers. The match occurs on Saturday at Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala. With a squad featuring past World Cup players, they express confidence in their ability to secure a positive result and improve upon their last tournament’s performance.
The Junior Starlets, under the guidance of coach Mildred Cheche, have arrived in Kampala and are feeling optimistic ahead of their 2025 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup qualifying match against Uganda Women U17. The match is set to commence on Saturday at 4 PM at Nakivubo Stadium, marking the start of their qualifying journey as they aim for consecutive World Cup qualifications.
Following their historical qualification for the 2024 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup, the Junior Starlets are determined to replicate their success. They earned their place in the 2024 tournament held in the Dominican Republic by defeating Burundi Women’s U17. Cheche emphasized, “Playing away is tough but we are ready. We are expecting a positive result of either a win or a draw.”
The team travels with a squad of 23, featuring eight players from the previous World Cup team, including captain Halima Imbachi. Imbachi noted the need for diligence, stating, “We are aware of the challenge that is ahead of us… it will not be an easy game.” The team’s goal, should they qualify, is to exceed their previous performance after being eliminated in the group stages last year.
The upcoming 2025 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup, to be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, has expanded to include 24 teams, with Africa receiving five spots. A successful match against Uganda would lead the Junior Starlets to face either Cameroon or Ethiopia for a chance at qualification.
Last year, the Junior Starlets demonstrated their strength by qualifying without conceding a goal, winning crucial matches against DR Congo, Ethiopia, and Burundi. Conversely, Uganda has yet to qualify for the tournament and was eliminated in the last qualifying round the previous year. Strong performances this year include their significant 18-1 aggregate win against Namibia in the First Qualifying Round. The return leg of the match will take place next weekend in Nairobi.
In conclusion, the Junior Starlets are poised for a significant match against Uganda in their quest for a second consecutive World Cup qualification. Drawing on their recent history and the maturity of previous players, they strive to move beyond the group stages this time. With a well-prepared squad and a clear focus on overcoming Uganda, they are optimistic about achieving a favorable outcome in this qualifying campaign.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
