Kenya’s U17 girls’ team will aim to seal qualification to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers when they host Uganda in the second-round return leg at Nyayo National Stadium this afternoon.The Junior Starlets hold a 2-0 advantage going into the match. Last week, they defeated Uganda in Kampala, with goals from Edinah Nasipwondi and a brilliant second from Joan Ogola, who was part of the Kenya team at the 2024 World Cup in the Dominican Republic.##NAJAVA_MECA_8779945##This will also mark the first time Nyayo Stadium hosts a competitive international game since November 2021, when Harambee Stars played Rwanda. The facility was subsequently deemed unfit for CAF and FIFA matches. However, it has undergone a major facelift to prepare for international events, particularly the upcoming CHAN tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.Mildred Cheche’s team will be supported by what is expected to be a sizeable crowd at Nyayo as they aim to secure a spot at the World Cup, which will be held in Morocco. Should Kenya prevent an unlikely comeback from Uganda, they will face the aggregate winner of the tie between Cameroon and Ethiopia in the third round. The aggregate winner of that round will qualify for the World Cup.AFC Leopards identifies key growth area in Western KenyaKenya is seeking back-to-back qualifications for the tournament, having become the first-ever Kenyan football team to feature at the World Cup after securing a spot in the Dominican Republic last year. They were eliminated at the group stage after losing to North Korea and England but managed a win against Mexico.Despite their 2-0 lead, coach Cheche remains cautious. While she acknowledges the team’s solid preparation, she is not taking chances, knowing the threat Uganda poses in attack.How Benni McCarthy want strikers to play at Harambee Stars“We have prepared really well, but we are cautious because Uganda is a strong team offensively. From the first leg, we saw they have a number 10 who is dangerous with shots, so we need to approach the game carefully,” Cheche said in an interview on Saturday.She added that the goal is to qualify for the World Cup and admitted that playing at home will motivate the team to perform well. She is aiming for a win in today’s match.“Our ambition is to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup, and every game matters. Playing at home, with our friends, family, and supporters behind us, gives us the push to go for a win.”Kenya Police shoot to top of standings as KCB stay alive in title race with win over UlinziUganda’s coach, Sheryl Botes, insists the tie is far from over.“I know we have a 2-0 deficit, but it’s not over yet. We knew we were up against a World Cup team, but I’m proud of the girls,” Botes said.“I thought we fought hard from the start. We showed resilience and a fighting spirit. We wanted the goals and fought for them, but we couldn’t get them,” she added.The match kicks off at 4 PM.
