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Junior Starlets players celebrate their victory over South Africa's at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
History rarely repeats itself with such defiant flair! When Junior Starlets clinched their spot at the 2026 Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup, they did more than just secure a ticket to Morocco, but destroyed the narrative that their first global appearance was just a fleeting anomaly.
By qualifying for a second time in three years, the youngsters are gradually transitioning from tournament debutants to a persistent formidable force in international football. Starlets 5-1 aggregate win against continental football giants South Africa is a testament to the bright future of Kenyan women’s football. And with Harambee Starlets gearing up for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), these achievements are longer miracles but fruits of the evolving women’s game.
At the heart of this resurgence is Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche, a tactician with an uncanny ability to read both the game and the human spirit. When South Africa’s Bantwana struck early in the decisive return leg match at the Nyayo Stadium and threatened to derail their campaign, Cheche ensured that the team’s composure was not fractured.
