New Football Kenya Federation (FKF) CEO Harold Ndege has congratulated
the Junior Starlets for their 2-0 win over their Ugandan counterparts in the
opening second-round clash of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier.
The former Tusker defender officially replaced Patrick Korir, who resigned last week after serving just four months at the helm.
Ndege headed the delegation that received the girls on
arrival at JKIA from Kampala on Saturday at 11.30 am.
The experienced football administrator who doubles up as the
Kenya Soccer Players Association (KSPA) Secretary General and a Customs
Officer at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), encouraged the girls to complete the
job.
He promised to support them fully in their quest to return
to the global stage.
Starlets scored through Edinah Nasipwondi and Joan Ogola to
beat the hosts at the Nakivubo Stadium
in Kampala.
“We are very proud of the girls, we are very proud of the
technical bench, and the secretariat that organized for their travel logistics
to Kampala and back. As the federation, we will continue supporting this team
to the best of our ability through all means,” said Ndege.
Meanwhile, Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche believes the job is only halfway done and they have to rectify some small mistakes to ensure they grab at least a draw to sail through to the final qualifier stage.
"The game was tough, but the girls put in a great shift
to secure the win away from home. We had good preparation, and even for the new
players in the squad, it didn’t take long for them to adapt. The second leg at
home will be equally challenging, as Uganda will come in desperate for three
points. We need to remain focused and strengthen our defense to ensure we keep a
clean sheet," Cheche said
The junior’s starlets who made their World Cup debut in the
Dominican Republic in December 2024, got a bye to the second round of the
qualifiers, while Uganda’s teenage cranes hammered Namibia 18-1 on aggregate to
sail qualify.
The team proceed to camp at the Kasarani sports complex
stadium, ahead of Saturday’s return leg in Nairobi at Ulinzi complex, Nairobi.
The 9th edition of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will be
played between 17 October and 8 November, in Rabat Morocco.
