Kenya U17 head coach on challenges of preparing for FIFA U17 Women's World Cup qualifiers
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 26.03.26. | 19:06
Kenya will begin its qualifying campaign with a two-legged preliminary round tie against Namibia
Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has revealed the challenges that she is facing as the team prepares for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup qualifiers.
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The Kenya U17 women's team has pitched camp at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where they are sharpening their skills for the qualifiers of the global tourney.
Kenya will begin its qualifying campaign with a two-legged preliminary round tie against Namibia.
Speaking to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) media on the sidelines of the team's training, Cheche opened up on two major issues she is grappling with in preparing the team.
“We have a young and new squad, as the others transitioned to the U20. We have never played Namibia before and therefore do not know their playing style, and so we are just preparing ourselves in the best way we know how,” said Cheche.
Nevertheless, the celebrated tactician exuded confidence in having a solid team before Kenya takes to the pitch for their first leg.
“We have a blended squad. We have two players from last year and two from 2024, and the adaptation is good so far, and I am confident we will have a good team,” she stated.
For midfielder Mwanakombo Bakari, she has set her eyes on the 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup finals, replicating the success that the team enjoyed when they qualified for the 2024 edition that was held in the Dominican Republic.
“It is not easy to be in the national team, especially at this stage. We know our opponents, Namibia, are working hard in training, and so are we. It is not easy, but we will give our best with a mission to reach the World Cup,” remarked Bakari.
Kenya will play away to Namibia in the first leg tie slated for Sunday, 12 April, before hosting the second leg on Saturday, 18 April at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.