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The Football Kenya Federation has waved gate charges for the crucial Junior Starlets’ FIFA Women U17 World Cup Qualifiers against Ethiopia this Sunday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

Junior Starlets produced a resilient performance in the first leg outing in Addis, compounding the hosts to barren draw and gain control ahead of the second leg in Nairobi.

The girls will surely need the 12th man for the huge occasion ahead of them considering that it will be the first time to play at home in this qualification campaign having gotten a bye in the first round draw and a walk over from the Democratic Republic of Congo in the second of the process.

Coach Mildred Cheche who is poised to write history as the first coach ever to take a national football side to a FIFA World Cup says fans backing will be of great importance as they dream for the Dominican Republic extravaganza later this year.

“We want to walk with our fans on this journey. Their backing will be of great value in pushing the girls. I invite all the Kenyans to come out to support us once again,” Cheche said.

The Kenyan camp is buzzing with excitement since the team’s return from Addis Ababa on Saturday morning and straight to training sketch a winning formula.

Midfielders Susan Akoth and Marion Sereng are optimistic on utilizing the home advantage to the maximum to dance to the fourth and final round of the qualifications.

“Ethiopia is coming in our backyard and we now want to finish business. The game in Addis was a bit tough but we managed well according to our plans. This time we would like to welcome our fans; we need that support since we are playing on our turf. We promised to give a good show that will make all Kenyans proud,” said Susan Akoth.

On her part, Marion Serenge said, “We have already marked their tactics from the first leg match. We just need to implement on the pitch the plans from our technical bench and for sure, we are optimistic of winning this game so that we can sail through to the next round. To our fans, we would like to extend our invite to them. Let them come out in large numbers on Sunday as we enjoy the great moments ahead together.”

After displaying a tactical masterclass defensively away from home, the Junior Starlets team will look to go full throttle on their visitors on Sunday with all at stakes.

FKF has already given out an invite to schools and football academies in the country who would like to bring kids to watch the game at the Kenya Defense Forces’ stadium.

The kick off for the important fixture is set for 3pm.

The winner of the game on Sunday will dance to the fourth round of the qualifiers and will face either Djibouti or Burundi. The victors of the fourth round will grab tickets for the 2024 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup, which will be staged in the Dominican Republic in October.

Kenya’s potential opponents Burundi thrashed Djibouti 18-0 in the first leg encounter played in Addis Ababa last Sunday.