Junior Starlets step up training ahead of Namibia battle

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With just nine days before they face off with Namibia in the first round of the 2026 Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Namibia, Junior Starlets are relentlessly grinding in readiness for the two-legged clash.  

Starlets will begin their quest on April 12 away in Namibia, then host their opponents in Nairobi six days later.

A good start will increase their chances of getting the job done at home when they host Namibia in the return leg, which will see them advance to the second round, hence keeping their World Cup hopes alive.

Under the tutelage of head coach Mildred Cheche, Starlets are seeking a return to the global stage, having made a historical debut in the Dominican Republic in 2024.

Last year, they came close to securing their return but failed when they lost to Cameroon 4-1 on aggregate in the final round of qualification.

Junior Starlets defender Rose Nangila exuded confidence, saying that they are driven by the desire to excel so they can play on the world stage. “In these qualifiers, the team has a goal to achieve, and each one of us is hungry to qualify for the World Cup. We are all yearning to succeed and are working very hard to make it happen,” Nangila said.

Midfielder Tabitha Wambui, on the other hand, said that in camp, they are learning how to play high-level games, which require intensity compared to how they play at their respective clubs and schools.

“I have understood that high intensity is required while training at this level, which is not what we are used to when playing locally. We are learning more here and have gradually adapted because we want to play on a higher level. It is a great experience,” Wambui said.

Cheche will be fielding mostly new players after most of the girls who represent the country in the last two years transitioned to the under-20 side, with exceptional ones who have remained consistent, like defenders Elizabeth Ochaka and Lorine Ilavonga, also earning their slots in the senior team Harambee Starlets.

Having never played Namibia before, Starlets will bank on the technical know-how of coach Cheche and her technical bench to get the better of their opponents in both encounters.

An aggregate win against Namibia will see them book a second-round date with the winner of the Uganda and Zimbabwe match.

The 30-member provisional squad comprising players from different parts of the country has been in camp, with Cheche set to trim it before the first leg.

Going into the first round, all eyes will be on Brenda Achieng, who showed great potential in last year’s qualifiers. She is among a few familiar faces who are still eligible to feature in the Under-17 category.