By Perez Karisa, June 30, 2026
Kenya’s Junior Starlets have expressed confidence ahead of their decisive final-round FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa’s Bantwana, saying they are mentally, tactically and physically prepared to battle for a place at the 2026 global tournament.
The first leg of the two-legged playoff will be played on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, before the return leg in Nairobi on Sunday, July 12. The aggregate winner will secure one of Africa’s coveted qualification slots for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.
Head coach Mildred Cheche believes her squad is well prepared for the challenge after months of intensive training and competitive matches.
Cheche said the recently concluded CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship played a vital role in sharpening the team’s tactical discipline and match fitness. The regional tournament gave the technical bench an opportunity to evaluate player combinations, improve transitions between defence and attack, and address weaknesses that emerged during earlier qualification matches.
The coach emphasized that efficiency in front of goal will be one of the team’s biggest priorities in Pretoria.
“We know South Africa is a strong side, especially when playing at home. We have worked extensively on creating and converting scoring opportunities because away goals and overall efficiency can make a huge difference in matches of this magnitude,” she said.
Kenya has also spent considerable time studying video footage of South Africa’s previous qualifiers. According to forward Mwanakombo Bakari, the players have analysed both Bantwana’s home and away performances to understand their tactical patterns, defensive structure and attacking threats.
Bakari said the analysis has helped the squad identify areas they believe can be exploited, particularly during quick transitions and counter-attacks.
The Junior Starlets enter the final qualification round with confidence after eliminating Uganda on the away-goals rule following a 1-1 aggregate draw. The closely contested tie tested Kenya’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, qualities the technical bench believes will be crucial against South Africa.
Bantwana, meanwhile, progressed comfortably after defeating Tanzania 2-0 on aggregate, underlining their strength as one of Africa’s traditional youth football powerhouses.
Cheche has retained the core of the squad that featured prominently against Uganda while introducing several new faces to add depth and competition within the team.
Among those included in the travelling squad are Jael Nanjala, Lindey Weey, Grace Chari and Elizabeth Awuor, players expected to strengthen the team’s defensive stability, midfield creativity and attacking options.
The coach said maintaining continuity while gradually integrating emerging talent is essential in building a competitive team capable of succeeding both in the qualifiers and on the global stage.
For many of the players, qualification would represent another major milestone in the rapid growth of women’s youth football in Kenya.
The Junior Starlets made history by becoming the first Kenyan football team to qualify for a FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament at any level, and another successful qualification would further cement Kenya’s emergence as one of Africa’s rising forces in women’s football.
The Football Kenya Federation has expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, with officials urging Kenyans to rally behind the players as they seek another historic appearance on the world stage.
Should Kenya overcome South Africa over the two legs, the Junior Starlets will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, where the continent’s representatives will compete against the world’s best young football talent.
With qualification now just two matches away, the encounter in Pretoria is expected to be fiercely contested, as both Kenya and South Africa seek to take a crucial advantage into the decisive return leg in Nai
