Mildred Cheche has explained how she will prepare Kenya’s Junior Starlets to overcome the brawns of Cameroon to reach a second consecutive U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has outlined her strategy to overcome Cameroon’s physically imposing Indomitable Cubs as both teams prepare for their upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers later this year.
Kenya’s U-17 side booked their spot in the next round in dominant fashion, securing a 5-0 aggregate victory over Uganda.
The first leg in Kampala on March 8, 2025, ended in a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Patience Osiko and Joan Ogola. In the return fixture at Nyayo Stadium on March 16, Kenya sealed the tie with a commanding 3-0 triumph, as Osiko found the net early before substitute Brenda Ochieng delivered a second-half brace.
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The Starlets’ tactical discipline and attacking efficiency were evident throughout, setting up a thrilling showdown with Cameroon.
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The Young Lionesses advanced by dispatching Ethiopia with a 6-2 aggregate victory. Their first-leg clash in Yaoundé on March 8 saw a 5-2 win, spearheaded by Tazanou Ange’s hat-trick.
In the return leg on March 15, Ange struck again to secure a 1-0 victory in Addis Ababa, proving Cameroon’s attacking firepower.
Speaking after Kenya’s 5-0 aggregate win, Cheche acknowledged Cameroon’s physicality but remained confident in her team’s ability to counter it.
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“Cameroon are physical and huge, but we will take it one game at a time. We need to strengthen the squad and improve our physical conditioning,” Cheche told the media.
“It’s a tough challenge, but I believe our girls have the quality to get the job done.”
Junior Starlets captain Halima Imbachi also voiced her belief in Cheche’s tactical approach, stating that intelligence, not size, will determine the outcome.
“We have been studying their games against Ethiopia, and now we are preparing mentally and psychologically,” Imbachi said.
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“Football is about intelligence, not just physicality, and we trust our coach to guide us to success.”
With a second consecutive World Cup appearance on the line, Kenya will be looking to execute Cheche’s game plan to perfection when they face Cameroon in the decisive qualifiers.
