Kenya U17 head coach Mildred Cheche expressed her delight following the 2-1 victory over Mexico in their final FIFA World Cup Group C match, stating that the players executed their game plan perfectly to secure the win.The Junior Starlets rebounded from back-to-back losses to England and North Korea, finishing third in the group. This victory marks a historic moment, as it is the first win for any Kenyan football team at the FIFA World Cup, forever etching their name in the annals of Kenyan football.##NAJAVA_MECA_8435350##In her post-match interview, the soft-spoken Cheche commended her players for their efforts and expressed gratitude for concluding the tournament on a high note.”The game was excellent; we executed our tactics well, and the girls truly gave it their all. We are grateful and relieved that we are not heading home empty-handed,” she remarked.Cheche highlighted the team’s control during the match, noting, “We performed better than Mexico and effectively capitalized on our opportunities. While we had more chances, the crucial point is that we won.”Reflecting on the significance of this win, Cheche emphasized that it represents a monumental achievement for both the young players and the nation.”This victory signifies that we are the first Kenyan team to attend a World Cup and win a game. This achievement is monumental for both the girls and the country,” she stated.Junior Starlets end World Cup journey with historic win over MexicoCheche also reviewed Kenya’s overall performance in the tournament, acknowledging the difficulties faced in the opening two matches against two strong opponents, both of whom progressed to the quarterfinals. She noted that the match against Mexico was somewhat easier, as her team leveraged their speed and clinical finishing.”The initial matches were challenging; the quality of our opponents was superior in the games against Korea and England. However, we found the match against Mexico easier because we excelled in certain aspects, such as speed and converting our chances,” she explained.In closing, Cheche appealed to the government and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to continue supporting the team by providing more international opportunities.”For the next steps, I urge the government and the federation to continue developing these talented girls, ensuring they play more international games. Engaging them in international friendlies and tournaments would be beneficial, so they are better prepared when called upon for qualifiers next year,” she concluded.Junior Starlets end World Cup journey with historic win over Mexico
