Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has urged her players to show character and stand tall as they face Cameroon in the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers on Sunday.
Cheche, fresh from being named the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Coach of the Month for March after a 5-0 aggregate win over Uganda, expects a tough outing against the Central African side.
The CAF B license holder acknowledged that despite winning the first leg against Uganda 2-0, it was a challenging game. However, the team regrouped and secured a commanding 3-0 victory in the return leg.
The Junior Starlets had a successful tour in Morocco, where they drew 1-1 and then won 2-0 in friendly matches played on April 8, 2025.
They now aim to book back-to-back qualifications to the global tournament with a win over Cameroon.
Cheche believes the Morocco friendlies gave the team valuable insights into their current form and areas needing improvement ahead of the clash at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
“The plan is to try and get three points, but it will not be easy because Cameroon is not an easy team—and we are also not an easy team. So it is a match where whoever plans best wins,” said Cheche.
Cheche, who received Sh100,000 and a trophy for her SJAK Coach of the Month award, dedicated the recognition to her players and technical bench for their hard work.
She hopes the award will further motivate the team to deliver on Sunday.
Meanwhile, team captain Halima Imbachi expressed confidence ahead of the showdown, despite Cameroon being viewed as the favorites.
“We have trained well. We are now left with executing the coach’s tactics, and we are good to go. Cameroon may be more experienced, but we have an equal chance on the pitch,” Imbachi said.
The Junior Starlets are chasing their second World Cup appearance after debuting in the Dominican Republic during the 2024 tournament.
The Cameroonian team is expected to arrive in Kenya on Friday, April 16, 2025.
