The Kenya U-17 women’s team, Junior Starlets, ended their first ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on a high note with a 2-1 victory against Mexico. Despite not advancing past the group stages, the team delivered a thrilling performance that showcased their growth and resilience on the international stage.
Junior Starlets Secure First World Cup Win
The Kenya U-17 women’s team was competing in their debut World Cup and were determined to make history. The Junior Starlets played their last group stages match on Thursday October 24, as they took on Mexico at the Estadio Félix Sanchez from 2 a.m. EAT.
Valarie Nekesa opened the scoring in the 15th minute, securing Kenya’s first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup tournament. Lorna Faith added a second in the 35th minute, sealing the victory for the Junior Starlets.
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Although Mexico managed a late goal during stoppage time, Kenya held on for their first World Cup win. Lorna Faith’s standout performance earned her the Player of the Match award, marking a memorable close to their World Cup journey.
Mexico Defeat: A Bittersweet Win for Kenya
The Junior Starlets entered the match knowing they were already eliminated from the tournament after earlier defeats. However, their strong showing against Mexico was a good display of their fighting spirit. The team had suffered a 2-0 loss against England in their opener and followed that with a tough 3-0 defeat to North Korea.
Hopes of progressing relied on Mexico losing to England in their final match. A 4-2 defeat for Mexico dashed Kenya’s slim chances of advancing, officially eliminating the Junior Starlets from the competition. Nonetheless, the final group stage match saw the Kenyan team display their full potential with the 2-1 victory.
Reflections on World Cup Experience
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup has been a valuable learning experience for the relatively young Kenyan squad. Despite the challenging tournament, team captain Elizabeth Ochaka remained positive about their journey. Reflecting on the matches, Ochaka said, “We did our best during the campaign. If you look at our games, like the one against England, we only conceded two goals, which compared to others who let in so many goals, was commendable.”
Winger Marion Serenge also shared her thoughts, saying, “The journey has been good, though it has not been easy. It has been a bit tough. But I can say we have given our best, we have worked hard, and done what the coaches have told us.”
Following their victory, the Junior Starlets celebrated with an impromptu dance on the pitch, moving to the rhythm of Wadagliz’s popular song Anguka Nayo. The mood was jubilant as the players rejoiced in their hard-fought victory.
The Junior Starlets have now wrapped up their World Cup campaign and are expected to return to Kenya soon. Their historic win against Mexico has left a mark on Kenyan football, with many seeing this as the beginning of a brighter future for women’s football in the country.