Junior Starlets wrap up successful Morocco tour

Junior Starlets  have wrapped up their preparatory tour in Morocco on a high, registering an impressive 2-0 win over Morocco’s U17 side in their second friendly match played on Monday at the Mohammed VI Sports Complex.

This particular win by the Kenya U17 side came just days after an evenly contested 1-1 draw in the first encounter held on last Thursday at the same venue. In both matches, centre forward Elizabeth Ochaka proved instrumental, scoring in each game. Mitshel Waithera also found the net in the second match, opening the scoring before Ochaka sealed the win with a well-taken goal.

The friendly fixtures offered great exposure and tactical sharpening for the team as they prepare for their decisive third and final round of the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon.

The first leg is scheduled in 12 days’ time, at Nyayo Stadium, with the return leg set for Friday, April 25, 2025, at Stade Olembe in Yaoundé. The aggregate winner will book a coveted ticket to the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, 2025.

Junior Starlets Head Coach Mildred Cheche was full of praise for her squad following the two friendlies, noting their value in shaping the team’s preparedness.

“The Morocco friendlies were extremely helpful for the team. They allowed us to assess our match fitness and evaluate the quality of our players against a strong opponent. These matches also gave us a clearer picture of where we stand as a team, and they’ve been instrumental in preparing us for the upcoming challenge against Cameroon, who is not an easy side to face,” she said.

With momentum on their side and valuable international experience under their belt, the Junior Starlets now shift their focus to the all-important home tie against Cameroon, aiming to make history and qualify for a second consecutive World Cup.