Kenya U17 coach speaks on chances of FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 10.04.26. | 16:09
Kenya plays away in the first leg tie this Sunday before hosting the return leg on Saturday, 18 April
Kenya U17 Women's national team head coach Mildred Cheche has opened up on the team's preparations and qualification chances to the 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.
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The Junior Starlets are seeking to make a comeback to the global tourney having qualified to the 2024 edition that was held in the Dominican Republic.
The Kenyan team had pitched camp at the Kasarani Stadium where they were sharpening their skills ahead of their trip to Namibia for their first match.
Speaking to FKF Media at the sideline of their training, Cheche explained why the team stands a better chance this year, as compared to 2025, when they failed to make it to the global tourney.
“Playing against Cameroon last year was tough and we did not manage to qualify because there are areas we needed to improve on, and we have been working on that by trying to ensure we get more quality players and implement new strategies to see whether it can help us to qualify,” said Cheche.
Cheche is also banking on the availability of players who have been with the team in the previous campaigns, including Lindey Weey Atieno and Brenda Awuor, who were part of the historic 2024 squad that made it to the World Cup, and Mwanakombo Bakari, who was in the 2025 squad.
“The players that we retained like Lindey Weey make it easier because they already know the philosophy and the strategies and also help others to settle.”
Cheche also took time to explain the difficulty she is facing in preparing for the Namibia clash.
“We have never played Namibia before, and even if we were to look at their previous results, it is difficult to judge because the U17 team changes every year.
We are taking one game at a time so after playing them away, we can now be able to tell how they play,” she stated.
Cheche also took pride in former members of her team who have since graduated to the higher echelons of the national team.
“For the likes of (Elizabeth) Ochaka, Loreen (Ilavonga) and Valary Nekesa who played in the World Cup and then transitioned to the U20 and the senior team, shows the importance of laying foundation in this category.”