Kenya’s Gaudancia Maloba challenges China’s Siqing Zhao during their Under-17 Women’s World Cup group match in Morocco.
Kenya seeks a response to its opening defeat by China, while FKF and FIFA discuss long-term plans for the women’s game.
The Junior Starlets face the United States on Thursday as they seek to revive their Under-17 Women’s World Cup campaign. Kenya lost their Group E opener 3-0 to China in Morocco, leaving coach Mildred Cheche with urgent improvements to make.
Meanwhile, the Americans enter the encounter after beating Samoa 17-0 in their opening match. Kenya must sharpen their finishing and tighten their defence against opponents who lead the group.
Junior Starlets seek sharper finishing against USA
Kenya showed early promise against China at the Mohammed VI Football Academy but failed to capitalise. Brendah Achieng had an opportunity to put the team ahead, but her effort missed the target.
China then took control through Yu Yue, who opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Kenya struggled to create clear chances afterwards, while their opponents increased the pressure after the break.
Xu Xiaotany added two second-half goals to secure China’s victory. Joan Orwa later threatened to score for Kenya, but a save denied her effort.
As a result, Cheche heads into the USA match seeking improvements at both ends of the pitch. The size of the Americans’ opening victory underlines the challenge facing her players.
Cheche targets improvements in attack and defence
Despite the defeat, Cheche identified encouraging passages in Kenya’s first-half performance. However, she felt the team failed to maintain that level after the interval.
The coach said Kenya still had an opportunity to improve and pursue a place beyond the group stage. She singled out the forward line and defence as areas needing attention before the next game.
Cheche also stressed the difference between creating opportunities and turning them into goals. Her assessment makes finishing a key priority as Kenya prepares for the group leaders.
She pledged to continue encouraging the players and working towards a better performance for the country. After facing the USA, Kenya will complete their group fixtures against Samoa on October 25.
That final encounter could prove important to their qualification hopes, depending on other results in the group.
FKF and FIFA discuss women’s football plans
Away from the matches, FKF president Hussein Mohammed led a delegation in talks with FIFA officials on Wednesday, October 21. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the tournament in Morocco.
The delegation met FIFA Head of Development for Women’s Football Arijana Demirovic and Africa women’s football lead Doreen Nabwire. Their discussions focused on strengthening the long-term development of the women’s game in Kenya.
Among the priorities were sustainable pathways towards Harambee Starlets’ qualification for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. They also discussed a dedicated women’s football technical centre and a stronger women’s football desk within FKF.
Demirovic commended FKF’s progress in developing its Women’s Football Strategy for 2026–2029. She highlighted initiatives aimed at advancing women’s football in Kenya.
The delegation also included NEC members Peter Kamau Chege and Caleb Amwayi, alongside Vihiga County FKF chairperson Michael Senelwa. Senelwa additionally serves as Women’s Committee vice-chair.
IMOC Committee member Ruth Omala, who is also Mara Sugar FC’s chief executive, joined the delegation.
