Mwanakombo Bakari says Kenya’s Junior Starlets will not be intimidated by Japan as they target another big achievement at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsBakari scored a brace in Kenya’s 4-0 victory over Samoa, earning the official FIFA Woman of the match award as the Junior Starlets secured a historic place in the Round of 16.##NAJAVA_MECA_10066136##The forward was quick to credit her teammates for the performance saying the individual recognition reflected the collective effort that has carried Kenya into the knockout stage.“I feel so proud to get Woman of the Match because I truly feel like I deserved it. But all I can say is that we fought as a team, we maintained team spirit, we worked hard, and these are the fruits of our labour,” offered the player who is making her second appearance at the World Cup stage.Kenya’s qualification came after a challenging group-stage campaign, with the 4-0 win over Samoa proving decisive as the team advanced as one of the four best third-placed finishers.Tusker coach urges players to learn Singida’s ‘ghost’ act after Confederation Cup exitThe achievement marks the first time a Kenyan U-17 side has reached the Round of 16 at the tournament, a milestone the US-based midfielder says the players have earned through determination and belief despite the challenges along the way.“It hasn’t been easy, nor has it been too tough, but it’s down to our effort. We pushed ourselves, fought as a team, got positive results, and qualified for the Round of 16. This is the first time Kenya Under-17 has qualified for the Round of 16. We are so happy because it has not been an easy journey,” she added.Kenya U15 survive Chad scare to qualify unbeaten for FIFA World Cup elite tier ATheir reward is a meeting with Japan, one of the established forces in women’s youth football, but the Coast-born player says the Junior Starlets are determined to keep their historic run alive.Rather than being overwhelmed by the challenge ahead, the forward says Kenya will approach the last-16 tie with the same fighting spirit that carried them through the group stage, with a place in the quarter-finals firmly in their sights.##NAJAVA_MECA_10064948##“We have made it through the group stage for the first time. Whichever team we get matched up against, we will fight because it won’t be easy. We are meeting different countries, different cultures, and different people here, but we will work extra hard and push ourselves all the way until we reach the quarter-finals,” she said.