The Junior Starlets, Kenya’s under-17 women’s football team, delivered an impressive and dominant performance in their 4-1 victory over Valencia Women CF in a friendly match at the Ciudad Deportivo Stadium on 25 September.
This match, part of their rigorous preparation for the upcoming FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, showcased the Starlets’ readiness for the global stage.
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From the opening whistle, the Junior Starlets asserted their dominance over Valencia Women CF, a top Spanish club.
Striker Valerie Nekesa, who has been in fine form throughout the Starlets’ pre-World Cup training camp, opened the scoring for the Kenyan side just nine minutes into the game.
Nekesa’s clinical finish set the tone for what was to be a commanding performance from Kenya’s young stars.
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Nekesa wasn’t done yet. She doubled her tally in the 26th minute, putting the Starlets firmly in control.
Her brace reflected her sharp attacking instincts and technical prowess, making her a key player to watch as the team heads into World Cup action. With Kenya two goals up, the pressure was mounting on Valencia to respond, but the Starlets had no intention of slowing down.
As the match progressed, Kenya’s dominance continued to grow, with the team dictating play in the midfield and capitalizing on every opportunity in the final third.
Lindey Atieno added her name to the scoresheet in the 35th minute, giving the Junior Starlets a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
Atieno’s goal was a result of relentless pressure from the Kenyan side, who kept Valencia on the back foot throughout the first half.
Her powerful strike past the Valencia goalkeeper further emphasized the Kenyan team’s ability to break down defensive lines and convert their chances into goals.
The second half saw more of the same from the Junior Starlets, as they continued to control possession and create chances.
Valencia attempted to regroup and launch counter-attacks, but Kenya’s defense remained resilient, giving the hosts few opportunities to find the back of the net.
In the 56th minute, Lindey Atieno scored her second goal of the game, bringing the scoreline to a commanding 4-0 in favor of the Starlets.
Her brace capped off a stellar performance, solidifying her as one of the standout players of the match. Atieno’s pace, vision, and finishing ability were on full display, making her another player to watch as Kenya heads into the Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
While Valencia managed to grab a consolation goal just two minutes before the final whistle, the Junior Starlets’ dominance throughout the game was unquestionable. The late goal did little to alter the outcome, as the Kenyan team had already secured a comfortable 4-1 victory.
Valencia Women CF, known for their competitive spirit in Spanish women’s football, found themselves outplayed by Kenya’s energetic and technically gifted squad.
Despite their best efforts to rally, they were unable to break through Kenya’s defense until the dying moments of the match.
Starlets’ Training and World Cup Preparations
The Junior Starlets have been training in Spain for the past week, using the friendly matches against top Spanish clubs like Valencia Women CF to fine-tune their tactics and build team chemistry ahead of their debut in the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
Coach Mildred Cheche has emphasized the importance of these matches in ensuring her team is fully prepared to face world-class opponents on the global stage.
As part of their ongoing World Cup preparations, the Starlets are scheduled to face Portugal on 27 September and Intercity on 30 September.
These matches will further test Kenya’s abilities, allowing them to sharpen their strategy and solidify their starting lineup before heading to the Dominican Republic for the tournament.
F.T
Valencia CF Women 1-4 Junior Starlets#GoJuniorStarlets pic.twitter.com/nL7aOJabbd
— Harambee Starlets (@StarletsKE) September 25, 2024
The FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup will run from 16 October to 3 November in the Dominican Republic.
The Junior Starlets have been drawn into a challenging group, where they will face top footballing nations.
Their first match will be against England on 18 October, followed by games against Korea DPR on 20 October and Mexico on 24 October.
England, one of the favorites in the tournament, presents a tough challenge for the Starlets in their opening match.
However, with their recent strong performances in Spain and the tactical guidance of Coach Cheche, the Kenyan team will look to cause an upset and make a mark in the competition.
Valerie Nekesa and Lindey Atieno have emerged as key players for the Junior Starlets, with both forwards showing their goal-scoring capabilities in the friendly match against Valencia.
Nekesa’s early brace demonstrated her lethal finishing, while Atieno’s ability to break through defenses and score crucial goals will be vital for Kenya’s World Cup campaign.
Coach Cheche will also be relying on her team’s midfield control and defensive solidity, both of which were evident during the match in Spain.
With a well-rounded squad and growing momentum, the Junior Starlets have the potential to challenge some of the top teams in the Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
