Kenya's Junior Starlets forward Elizabeth Alizeba Achieng Opiyo celebrates scoring against South Africa during their return leg of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifier at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on July 12, 2026. Starlets won 3-1 (5-1 on aggregate) securing their historic qualification for the upcoming World Cup in Morocco. Photo/Oliver Ananda

Kenya’s Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has challenged her players to improve their finishing and defensive organization as they prepare to face the United States in their second Group E match at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

The Junior Starlets got their campaign off to a disappointing start on Monday, suffering a 3-0 defeat to China at the Mohammed VI Football Academy.

The result leaves Kenya needing a strong response against the USA as they pursue a place in the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

“Even though we had conceded, we played better in the first half than in the second. However, we have an opportunity to rectify things in the next match,” Cheche said.

She added that the forwards must be more clinical if Kenya are to compete against the USA and keep their qualification hopes alive.

“My players did well in creating chances in the opponents’ half, but the big task now is converting them. That is the only thing remaining,” she said.

Cheche, who guided the team to their second appearance at the World Cup after their debut in 2024 in the Dominican Republic, remains optimistic that the Junior Starlets can bounce back.

“We will keep fighting for the country and continue trying. We are going to encourage the girls, and we hope for the best,” she added.

Midfielder Lindey Weey Atieno echoed her coach’s sentiments, expressing confidence that Kenya can produce a better performance against the Americans.

“We will use a different approach against the USA, and I believe we shall win. I want to encourage our fans back at home not to lose hope and to continue supporting us. We have lost only one match; we have two to go, and I believe we will still bounce back,” Atieno said.

During their maiden World Cup appearance in 2024, the Junior Starlets finished third in Group C with three points. They lost 2-0 to England and 3-0 to North Korea before recording a 2-1 victory over Mexico.

Kenya will be hoping to build on that experience and progress beyond the group stage this time around. Their qualification for the 2026 tournament followed an impressive campaign that included a 5-1 aggregate victory over South Africa in the final qualifying round.

The Junior Starlets will conclude their Group E campaign against Samoa on October 25, with both remaining matches scheduled to take place at the Mohammed VI Football Academy.