The Junior Starlets of Kenya have edged closer to a spot in the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup following a decisive 3-0 win over Burundi in the first leg of the final qualifying round.
The match, which took place at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Ethiopia, saw the Kenyan team showcase their skills and determination.
The scoring was started by Lornah Faith in the 11th minute, followed by Marion Serenge’s goal just before halftime. Susan Okoth sealed the victory with a third goal in the 71st minute, putting Kenya in a strong position for the upcoming return leg on June 16, 2024.
The team that prevails on aggregate will secure their place in the World Cup, scheduled to be held in the Dominican Republic in October 2024.
Under the guidance of Coach Mildred Cheche, who is on the brink of a historic achievement as the first Kenyan female coach to lead a team to the World Cup, the Junior Starlets’ performance was further reinforced by their recent friendlies.
The Junior Starlets’ recent triumph was reinforced by their performances in two preparatory friendly matches. They faced a challenging game against the newly crowned KWPL champions, Kenya Police Bullets, where they narrowly lost 2-1.
However, they demonstrated resilience by securing a 2-1 victory over the Ulinzi Starlets, which served to fortify their readiness for the significant qualifying matches ahead.
