Junior Starlets suffer narrow 1-0 loss to Cameroon in first leg of crucial World Cup qualifier

The Junior Starlets suffered a setback in the bid to secure back-to-back World Cup qualification as they lost 1-0 to Cameroon Women U17 in the first leg of their 2025 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup final qualifying round encounter at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Brenda Achien'g, the star of Kenya's 5-0 aggregate win over Uganda in March, hit the crossbar in the 18th minute, but it was Cameroon who drew first blood in the 25th minute after Tiwa Lys Fraîche headed the ball past Velma Abwire from a corner.

Kenya relentlessly searched for an equaliser, with Elizabeth Ochaka having a free kick going narrowly over the bar in the 36th minute.

Mwanakombo Bakari had a shot bouncing off the crossbar in the 46th minute, with Cameroon's goalkeeper Jessica Mabou saving the rebound from substitute Mitshel Waithera.

Overwhelmed by the Junior Starlets' intensity in the second half, Cameroon resorted to time-wasting tactics to kill Kenya's momentum as they desperately protected their advantage.

Despite their best efforts, Junior Starlets could not find a way back into the match and will now have to redeem themselves in the return leg, which will be played in Yaoundé on Friday, April 25.

Heavy rainfall 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time of 3 pm caused a seven-minute delay.

Nervy start

The Junior Starlets had a nervy start to the match as Velma Abwire, protecting a run of 540 minutes without conceding a goal in World Cup qualifier matches, almost lost her invincibility in the second minute. The Baby Lionesses' captain, Lys Fraîche Tiwa, almost capitalised on Abwire's sloppiness in possession, but the Kenyan goalkeeper recovered quickly to thwart the Cameroonian.

The early proceedings saw the Junior Starlets struggling to contain the Cameroonians as Kenya came second in physical duels.

However, having stated before the match that they were prepared to counter the visitors' physique, Junior Starlets grew into the match and came close to scoring from a corner taken by Judith Nandwa.

Ahead of the match, Mildred Cheche expressed concern for players at this level not being disciplined enough to stick to tactical plans, allowing for situations where individual brilliance and errors decide matches.

Her concerns showed in the opening half as Junior Starlets players, on several occasions, dribbled into a cul-de-sac after delaying making the right pass.

That lack of awareness saw several promising players fade prematurely, and the Junior Starlets were left to rue their missed chances in the 25th minute when Cameroon took the lead from a corner.

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• Junior Starlets suffer narrow 1-0 loss to Cameroon in first leg of crucial World Cup qualifier
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Yolande Ngassa's delivery was flicked over by Ange Ngassa, and Tiwa Lys Fraîche was quick to pounce and head the ball past Abwire, marking the first time that Cheche's Junior Starlets had conceded in seven World Cup qualifier matches.

Cameroon's goal forced Cheche to make a change in the 31st minute as she replaced Achieng' with Lindy Weey Atieno in a bid to give Kenya more control in midfield.

Atieno's arrival had no immediate effect, and in the 36th minute, Elizabeth Ochaka's free kick, Kenya's best opportunity, narrowly missed the net.

The first half ended with Jenevieve Mithel receiving a yellow card in controversial circumstances, as Cameroonian players pressured the Namibian referee to book her for allegedly stamping on Ange Tazanou.

In the second half, Cheche made another change by substituting Mitshel Waithera for Joy Angela Valencia, ensuring Junior Starlets resumed action with greater purpose.

Despite Cameroon kicking off the second half, Kenya quickly won possession and launched a quick attack that culminated in Bakari's long-range shot bouncing back to play off the crossbar.

Mabou stopped Waithera's attempt to pounce on the rebound.

Buoyed by that chance, Junior Starlets continued to attack relentlessly and almost equalised in the 50th minute.

Once again, Waithera was involved as she pounced on a poor backpass by Cameroon. However, her first touch took the ball wide, allowing the onrushing player to prevent her shot from rolling into the net.

The visitors' play-acting and time-wasting piled more frustration on Kenya's efforts to get back on level terms.

Lindy Weey Atieno had Kenya's best chance to make a difference, but her last-minute free kick went straight into Mabou's hands as the referee blew the final whistle shortly after.