FIFA U17 WCQ: Junior Starlets ramp up preparations ahead of Burundi clash

Kenya girls’ U17 National team - Junior Starlets - on Monday 3 June intensified their preparations ahead of a pivotal 2024 FIFA U17 World Cup Qualifiers clash with Burundi at the Dandora Stadium.

Starlets, who could make history by making the World Cup to be held at the Dominican Republic later this year for the first time ever, are set to play the first-leg away in Ethiopia on Sunday 9 June, before hosting the second-leg on 16th.

“The opportunity to qualify for the World Cup is immense for our careers. You never know who could be watching our games and I know that scouting opportunities are immense once we make it through. It will be a game-changer for me and my family,” Junior Starlets midfielder Halima Imbachi said in a brief interview.

Lorine Ilavonga on the other hand said: “This is a coveted chance, and I am not planning on wasting it. Representing the Kenyan flag means everything to us. The team is completely focused on this final match against Burundi; it’s all we talk about, and we are all aligned on the focus of having a positive result.”

The team travels to Ethiopia on Friday 7 June, and will return to Kenya a day after the game to be played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium.

To reach this stage, Kenya beat Ethiopia 3-0 on aggregate in the third round after benefitting from a second round bye thanks to DR Congo withdrawing from the tournament.

Junior Starlets step away from sealing World Cup ticket after demolishing Ethiopia in third round

After the two fourth-round legs, the winner of the tie on aggregate will secure an automatic qualification to the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in October, to be held in the Dominican Republic.