Junior Starlets dominate Uganda to get World Cup qualifying off to a winning start
Ednah Nasipwondi and Joan Ogola struck in the 36th and 45th minute respectively to have Kenya with one foot in the final qualifying round as the two teams are set to meet in Nairobi next weekend for the second leg.
Junior Starlets made true of their intentions to leave Kampala with a victory after defeating Uganda Women U17 2-0 on Saturday afternoon in the first leg of their 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Second Qualifying Round encounter. The match was played at Kampala’s Nakivubo Stadium.
Ednah Nasipwondi and Joan Ogola struck in the 36th and 45th minute respectively to have Kenya with one foot in the final qualifying round as the two teams are set to meet in Nairobi next weekend for the second leg.
More To Read
The Junior Starlets’ starting line-up featured seven players who were part of the history-making squad that qualified for the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup which was held in the Dominican Republic, with goalkeeper Scovia Awuor the only player from that cohort who was left on the bench as Velma Abwire was given the nod ahead of her.
Coach Mildred Cheche set up her team in a 4-3-3 formation, with Lorine Illavonga and Elizabeth Ochaka pairing in central defence while flanked by Jenevive Mithel and Judith Nandwa. Captain Halima Imbachi and Mwanakombo formed a double-pivot in central midfield, operating behind Lindi Weey Atieno who supported Junior Starlets front three comprising wingers Ednah Nasipwondi and Joan Ogola and centre-forward Brenda Achieng’.
Before the match, Cheche and Imbachi, while exuding confidence of Kenya getting a positive result against their East African neighbours, had anticipated Uganda to give Kenya a strong test but proceedings in the opening minutes showed the gulf in class between the two teams as Kenya settled quickly and dominated the contest.
Despite the early stamping of authority, the Junior Starlets missed numerous chances to take the lead, with Brenda Achieng’, Ednah Nasipwondi, and Joan Ogola shooting high and wide from good scoring positions as Jenevive Mithel had an overhead kick crashing against the crossbar.
Kenya finally found their rhythm in the 36th minute when Jenevive Mithel recovered the ball from a clearance by Uganda and sent a long ball which Brenda Achieng’ flicked to the path of Ednah Nasipwondi, who controlled the ball before firing a hard right foot shot past Uganda’s goalkeeper Hairat Nabbosa.
Junior Starlets doubled their lead at the stroke of halftime in an almost similar move. Ednah Nasipwondi won possession in the right channel of Kenya’s half and passed the ball to Lindi Weey who, after seeing the run of Joan Ogola on the left space, released the left-winger with a defence-splitting pass. Ogola then controlled the ball before rifling a left foot to the bottom left corner, giving Kenya a 2-0 halftime lead.
Kenya had numerous chances to extend their lead in the second half, with the best of those opportunities falling to Joan Ogola who hit the side-netting after being put clean through on goal by Lindi Weey in the 65th minute.
Uganda barely threatened throughout the match and face an uphill task in Nairobi next weekend as they hope to salvage their campaign.
The Junior Starlets have now gone five matches without conceding a goal in World Cup qualifying matches while winning four on the trot.
Victory in the second leg will have the Junior Starlets meeting Cameroon or Ethiopia in the final qualifying round.
Top Stories Today
