Why Junior Starlets are confident of comfortably dispatching Ethiopia in quest for World Cup qualification

As Kenya's Junior Starlets prepare for their 2024 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup qualifier third-round second-leg match against Ethiopia this Sunday, anticipation is running high at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi. 

Under the guidance of coach Mildred Cheche, the team is intensifying their training sessions ahead of the crucial encounter.

The first leg, held at the Abebe Bekila Stadium in Addis Ababa, ended in a goalless draw, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown on home soil. 

This marks the first meeting between the two nations at this level, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming match.

Lethal striker Marion Serenge, hailing from ArchBishop Njenga Girls High School, exuded confidence as she expressed readiness for the return match. 

"Yes, we can defeat them if we implement whatever the coaches have told us because we have already played them and we know their tactics and the way they play. It won’t be that difficult," Marion asserted to ,Citizen TV.

Midfield maestro Susan Akoth, representing Acakoro Ladies, highlights the difference in playing conditions between the two venues. 

She emphasised the advantage of playing on grass at the Ulinzi Sports Complex compared to the artificial turf in Ethiopia.

"We had a very tough experience in Ethiopia because we played on artificial turf, but back home we will play on grass.

“ Let’s wait for the outcome because to them, it will be a challenge," Susan remarked confidently.

Marion and Susan urge Kenyan football fans to rally behind the team and show their support during the crucial match against Ethiopia. With a spot in the fourth and final round at stake, the Junior Starlets are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory.

Ethiopia's impressive performance against South Africa and Kenya's walk-over victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the second round underscore the competitive nature of the qualifier.

The winner of Sunday's match will advance to face either Djibouti or Burundi in the fourth round, vying for the opportunity to represent the Cecafa region in the U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic later this year.

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