Kenya’s Junior Starlets Eye Morocco in Historic Qualifier Amid World Cup Drama

BY SHEM LUNALO, SPORTS JOURNALIST. TMG

Football fans in Kenya and across Africa have their eyes on two fronts this week, as the Junior Starlets chase a World Cup ticket while senior teams battle for a place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup in the United States and Mexico.

Kenya’s national under-17 women’s team, the Junior Starlets, are 180 minutes away from a second consecutive appearance at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. The team is in Pretoria, South Africa, to face hosts Bantwana in the first leg of the final qualification round at Lucas Moripe Stadium. The Starlets reached this stage after eliminating neighbors Uganda on away goals, and will now seek a positive away result before the return leg in Nairobi next weekend.Head coach Mildred Cheche said mental strength will be key. With pressure high and every nation chasing the rare ticket to Morocco, Cheche has urged her players to build a strong psychological shield, withstand Bantwana’s expected aggression, and maintain discipline to defend national pride.

At the senior tournament, the Round of 32 has already produced shocks. European giants Germany and the Netherlands were eliminated on penalties by Paraguay and Morocco respectively.Tonight, Africa’s Côte d’Ivoire face Norway at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. The Elephants made history by reaching the knockout phase for the first time after beating Curaçao in the group stage.Their challenge is steep against a Norway side led by Erling Haaland, who has four goals so far.

Coach Emerse Faé is expected to lean on midfielders Ibrahim Sangaré and Franck Kessié to contain Martin Ødegaard, while the defense will focus on denying Haaland space. Côte d’Ivoire will look to Amad Diallo and Nicolas Pépé for pace on the counter in what promises to be a tight, tactical contest.France then meet Sweden at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Les Bleus topped their group with maximum points and will rely on Kylian Mbappé’s pace against Sweden’s disciplined block, with the Scandinavians hoping to frustrate and strike from set-pieces.The night ends with co-hosts Mexico against Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium. Mexico have yet to concede, with Santiago Giménez leading the attack. But Ecuador, anchored by Piero Hincapié, have shown resilience and will aim to deny the hosts an easy passage.