Kenya U17 coach pinpoints reasons for World Cup defeat to China

The national women's U17 football team, Junior Starlets, suffered a 3-0 thumping at the hands of China in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, with head coach Mildred Cheche identifying two faults from the encounter.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe Junior Starlets were condemned to defeat by China in their match played on Monday, 19 October, at the Mohamed VI Football Academy pitch in Morocco.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Singida’s second-half changes turned the tide against TuskerA 12th-minute goal by Xu Yue and a second-half double by Xu Xiaotang in the 50th and 53rd minutes were all that the Chinese needed to hand Kenya defeat on their return to the global stage.Speaking to the press after the match, Cheche, who also led Kenya to their maiden FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in 2024, opened up on areas that might hinder the team's ambitions of reaching the knockout stages.##NAJAVA_MECA_10046923##“We still have an opportunity to improve, and we must improve if we are to go beyond the group stage. A lot has to be done, especially in the forward line and the defense. Hopefully we get that right before our next match.In the first half, we had better moments even though we conceded. We played really well but not so well in the second half,” said Cheche.3K FC head coach hails secret weapon in attack after draw against BandariNonetheless, the soft-spoken tactician also picked positives from the match that will be key in their next encounter against a high-flying US team that walloped Samoa 17-0 in their opening clash.“I think we did well in creating chances, but now we must work on converting them. We will keep fighting for the country. We will keep trying and encouraging the girls to do better,” she added.##NAJAVA_MECA_10046909##On her part, midfielder Lindey Weey Atieno sent a message of confidence to Kenyans ahead of their next match against the USA set for Thursday, 22 October."We face a tougher opponent, and our approach has to be different, and I believe we will get positive results.Top CAF official responds to reports of Kenya losing AFCON 2027 hosting rightsI want to urge Kenyans not to give up. It is not yet over. The first game does not mean we are going out. We still have two matches, and we will bounce back,” said Atieno.