Junior Starlets eye Uganda sweep to edge closer to World Cup
The Junior Starlets are determined to wrap up their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Second Qualifying Round campaign in style as they face Uganda in the return leg at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday. With a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Kampala, key players Lorine Ilavonga and Joan Ogola remain confident that Kenya will complete the task and advance to the final qualification round.
The Junior Starlets are determined to secure victory as they prepare for the second leg of the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Second Qualifying Round against Uganda. The match is set to take place at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, March 16, 2025, kicking off at 3 PM EAT.
Speaking at the Thika Sub-county Stadium, key players Lorine Ilavonga and Joan Ogola exuded confidence that Kenya will finish the job after their commanding 2-0 win in the first leg at Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala last Saturday.
Ilavonga and Ogola were part of the historic Junior Starlets squad that represented Kenya at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
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Ilavonga, a defender, remains focused on the bigger picture—securing a second consecutive World Cup qualification.
“It’s an honour to be part of another squad chasing World Cup qualification. While we have a strong team, we know other sides are working just as hard. With a target on our backs, there’s pressure to maintain our good run, but we have what it takes,” Ilavonga stated.
Ogola, who netted Kenya’s second goal in the first leg against Uganda, expressed her delight at scoring her first international goal.
#JuniorStarlets hawana jambo dogo 🔥, wadau tupatane Nyayo Stadium mida ya saa tisa mchana 🤛🇰🇪
— Harambee Starlets (@StarletsKE) March 12, 2025
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“I’m happy to have finally contributed to the team’s success with a goal. Before that, I had only registered an assist. Scoring against Uganda made me proud—it felt great to help the team win,” said Ogola, who also assisted Kenya’s first-ever goal at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
She emphasized the team’s determination ahead of Sunday’s clash.
“We have to win at home. Uganda needs to know this is our turf,” she asserted.
A victory over Uganda will set up a third and final qualifying round clash against either Cameroon or Ethiopia for a ticket to the World Cup in Morocco, scheduled from October 17 to November 8.
Cameroon currently holds the advantage in their tie, leading Ethiopia 5-2 ahead of the second leg in Addis Ababa this weekend.
The Third Qualifying Round matches are set to take place in April.
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