It was months, weeks, and days, but now it is just a matter of hours before Kenya’s U17 Women’s team, the Junior Starlets, make history by qualifying for the FIFA U17 World Cup, which will be staged in the Dominican Republic later this year.This afternoon, the Junior Starlets will host the Burundi national team in the fourth-round return leg at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.##NAJAVA_MECA_8161478##They head into the game with a 3-0 first-leg advantage, having thrashed Burundi in the first leg staged in Ethiopia exactly a week ago. Lorna Faith, Marion Serenge, and Susan Akoth scored to give Kenya a first-leg advantage heading into the second leg, which is expected to be held at a packed Ulinzi Sports Complex led by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and a host of dignitaries.With a 3-0 lead, the Junior Starlets are just 90 minutes away from qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, a feat that will secure them a place in the history books as the first Kenyan national team ever to reach the global stage.The Starlets began their qualification journey with a bye in the second round after DR Congo pulled out of the qualifiers. They then beat Ethiopia with a 3-0 aggregate in the third round to set up a fourth-round date with Burundi.Coach Mildred Cheche is positive that playing at home will make the players more at ease and wants the Ulinzi Complex filled with fans.“Playing at home, I would urge every fan in Nairobi and outside Nairobi to please come and support the Starlets because we are just 90 minutes away from making history,” she stated.Tanui pushes Muhoroni Youth towards relegationDespite what looked like a fluid first-leg performance, the coach wants to see an improvement in the team for the second leg, especially in terms of taking chances created.“We created a lot of chances offensively, and we had even more that we could have scored. But going into the second leg, we have a lot to improve in terms of offensive action,” she added.First-leg Starting XI1.Velma Abwire, 16. Christine Adhiambo, 3. Kimberly Akinyi, 19. Lorine Ilavonga, 12. Elizabeth Ochaka, 9. Velma Awuor, 10. Marion Serenge, 17. Halima Imbachi, 14. Lorna Faith, 20.Rebecca Odato, 7. Quinter AdhiamboSubstitutes23. Ephy Awuor , 24. Joan Ogola, 13. Valerie Nekesa, 15. Mitshelle Waithera, 6. Susan Akoth, 21. Brenda Awuor, 11. Diana Anyango, 5. Sheryl Atieno, 4. Jenevive Mithel.City Stars coach Muyoti eyes strong finish after lucky Homeboyz draw
