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Cheche urges caution ahead of second leg

Junior Starlets midfielder Lindey Weey speaks to the media after their arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on March 9, 2025. 

Photo credit: Pool | FKF
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By  Toto Arege

Correspondent

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • The winner of this tie will face either Cameroon or Ethiopia in the final round of the qualifiers next month.
  • Cameroon took a commanding lead in their matchup, winning 5-0 against Ethiopia at Stade Omnisport Paul Biya in Yaoundé on Saturday.

Kenya Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche is fully aware of the challenge her team faces this Sunday in Nairobi, despite their strong performance in the first leg of the second round of the U-17 Fifa Women's World Cup qualifiers.

The Starlets will host Uganda in the decisive return leg at Nyayo National Stadium at 3pm, carrying a crucial 2-0 advantage from the first leg played on Saturday at Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala.

“It was a tough match,” Cheche said. “But the girls displayed remarkable hard work and determination. Winning away from home is never an easy feat, and this victory is very important to us.”  She spoke after the team’s arrival from Uganda at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Sunday.

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Complacency

Striker and debutant Edinah Nasipwondi opened the scoring in the 36th minute, giving Kenya the lead. Just before halftime, Joan Ogola netted a second goal in the 46th minute of first-half stoppage time, putting Uganda under significant pressure ahead of the return leg.

Despite the advantage, Cheche warned against complacency.

“Even with the first-leg victory, the match at home will still be difficult. We cannot afford to think that we have already won,” she cautioned.

“We need at least a draw, or ideally another victory, to progress to the final round of this important tournament. Everything will depend on how we perform during those crucial 90 minutes on the field.”

Gratitude

Kenya advanced directly to the second round after receiving a bye in the first round, alongside Zambia and Nigeria, who both played in last year's U-17 Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic.

Uganda, meanwhile, showcased its attacking prowess in the first round, thrashing Namibia with a staggering 18-0 aggregate victory—winning 10-0 in the first leg and 8-1 in the second.

Midfielder Lindey Weey expressed her gratitude for the team’s support and motivation.

“Thank you to all the fans for their unwavering support,” she said. “Before the match, we received great motivation from the technical bench, and we were determined to secure all three points for our country and our supporters.”

The team was welcomed home by newly appointed Football Kenya Federation (FKF) CEO, Harold Ndege.

The winner of this tie will face either Cameroon or Ethiopia in the final round of the qualifiers next month.

Cameroon took a commanding lead in their matchup, winning 5-0 against Ethiopia at Stade Omnisport Paul Biya in Yaoundé on Saturday.