Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed has expressed his confidence in Junior Starlets as they open the 2025 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers campaign.

The Junior Starlets will today, Saturday, March 8, 2025, take on Uganda in the first leg match that will be played at Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Uganda from 4:00 pm.

Taking to his official X account this morning, Mohammed sent best wishes to the team, stating that the country has full confidence that they will achieve success and make Kenya proud.

“Our best wishes and unwavering support go out to the incredible Junior Starlets as they take on Uganda today in the first leg of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. We have full confidence that you will achieve success and make Kenya proud. Go Junior Starlets Go!” Mohammed stated.

Our best wishes and unwavering support goes out to the incredible Junior Starlets as they take on Uganda today in the first leg of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, we have full confidence that you will achieve success and make Kenya proud. Go Junior Starlets Go! pic.twitter.com/RSwqdDBg9g

— Hussein Mohammed (@husseinmoha) March 8, 2025

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

The second round of qualifiers for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Morocco from later this year, officially resumes this weekend.

Africa has four places reserved at the global showpiece, which will be at stake as the qualification race heats up.

Apart from the CECAFA derby pitting Kenya and Uganda, the first-leg matches will pit several ambitious teams against each other.

Fixtures

Cameroon will host Ethiopia, while Tanzania will face Zambia. One of the most anticipated matchups will be South Africa against Nigeria, a duel between two teams accustomed to international competition.

Other exciting clashes to look out for in the first leg include Sierra Leone vs Guinea and Benin vs DR Congo.

Algeria will also attempt to overcome Botswana in a north versus south clash.

One other appetising clash will see Cote d’Ivoire taking on Burundi.

The second-leg matches, scheduled for March 14, 2025, will be decisive in determining which teams will qualify.

With their experience and the advantage of playing at home, Zambia and Nigeria, who represented the continent in the last World Cup in the Dominican Republic, will aim to win and continue their journey.

Some of the teams involved have a strong track record in youth competitions.

Nigeria, a five-time qualifier for the U-17 Women’s World Cup, is the favourite against South Africa and will look to confirm its status over the two-legged encounter. Cameroon, with several participations in this global tournament, will rely on its experience to overcome an Ethiopian team that has shown significant progress.

Zambia, rising in women’s football, must be cautious of Tanzania, a team that has demonstrated its potential in recent years.

Meanwhile, DR Congo, though less experienced in this age category, hopes to surprise Benin.