Kenya’s Junior Starlets will face their biggest test yet at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup when they take on Japan in the Round of 16 on Thursday, 29 October. The Junior Starlets secured a place in the knockout stage for the first time after thrashing Samoa 4-0 in their final Group E match on Sunday, 25 October, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco.
The victory proved decisive for coach Mildred Cheche’s side, who went into the match needing a four-goal victory to improve their position among the best third-placed teams and claim the final qualification slot. They delivered, scoring twice in each half to book their place in the last 16.
Mwanakombo Bakari struck in the fifth minute before Brenda Awuor added a second just before half-time. Gaudancia Maloba extended the lead in the 61st minute, with Bakari completing her brace two minutes later to cap a memorable performance. The forward was named Player of the Match.
Kenya endured a difficult start to the tournament, losing 3-0 to China PR before falling 6-1 to the USA. However, the emphatic win over Samoa helped secure their place among the four best third-placed teams.
Japan presents a considerably tougher challenge. The Little Nadeshiko boast an impressive record in youth women’s football, having won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2014 and finished runners-up in 2010 and 2016.
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Japan have also dominated the continental stage, winning the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup four times, in 2005, 2011, 2013 and 2019. Kenya will need another disciplined performance to compete against a side with such a strong pedigree. However, reaching the knockout stage has already marked a major step forward for the Junior Starlets, who exited at the group stage during their maiden appearance in the 2024 edition in the Dominican Republic, where they recorded two defeats and a draw.
The Junior Starlets are the only Kenyan football team to have qualified for a FIFA World Cup, and their progress in Morocco has given the team an opportunity to make further history. The Round of 16 encounter against Japan will be played at Pitch 3 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex on Thursday from 9 pm East African Time.3K FC claim first FKF Premier League win as late Nairobi United goal denies APS Bomet