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KAK
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Five things we learnt from Junior Starlets' 1-0 loss to Cameroon in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Third Round qualifier.
Kenya's Junior Starlets must now overturn a one-goal deficit away from home to keep their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup dream alive after falling 1-0 to Cameroon at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
The third-round qualifier marked Kenya's first loss in seven matches under head coach Mildred Cheche, and it came courtesy of a solitary goal from Tiwa Melong, who pounced on a defensive lapse to score directly from a corner kick.
Despite the disappointing result, the Starlets can take solace in the performance and the fact that the return leg in Cameroon offers an opportunity to turn things around.
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Here is what Pulse Sports learnt from the game:
Profligacy costs Kenya dear
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Kenya created a flurry of chances particularly in the second half but could not make their chances count, as Cameroon took full advantage of a lapse in concentration from a set-piece situation to score the opening goal.
The Junior Starlets twice hit the cross bar during the clash, and also forced Cameroon’s keeper into making several last ditch saves during the game.
In the end, Junior Starlets will have felt hard-done by, but they have a second leg to make amends.
Nyayo Stadium looks fantastic under the lights
For the first time in a long time, Kenya played the game under the recently installed lights at Nyayo National Stadium, with all four masts fully lit considering the darkness created by the rain clouds that had engulfed Nairobi.
Ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), it portrayed a good image, and showed Kenya have made good progress to be ready in time for the tournament which will be held in August this year.
All the floodlights heen upgraded to a lighting capacity of achieving 2,000 lux, enough to enhance visibility during the games.
Kenya players were affected by nerves
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During the game, it was evident that the Kenyan girls looked nervous particularly in the first half of the game, when Cameroon gave them a hard time by pushing higher up the pitch.
It was also made worse by the fact that the girls were clearly experiencing defeat for the first time in a while, with the only other time they lost being at the 2024 World Cup in the Dominican Republic to both England and North Korea.
The number of fans that also attended the game were also reasonably large for a youth game, with Cameroon coach Joseph Ndoko even admitting he had never seen such a large crowd for a youth national team clash.
Should Kenya have used that to their advantage, or were they too anxious to want to make another World Cup, that they started overthinking scenarios?
Questionable team selection by Mildred Cheche?
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Did Mildred Cheche make a mistake by dropping both Precious Asiko and attacking midfielder Lindey Weey Atieno for this game?
It clearly looked the case considering the impact that they brought off the bench when they both came on.
It was confusing that Atieno, normally a midfielder, had to play as a striker after coming on for Brenda Achieng in the first half. Precious Asiko also brought presence upfront when she came on, which countered the physicality Cameroon brought.
Mitshell Waithera was also equally impressive with her high-volume shooting and ability to get in behind.
Whatever you want to call it, her strategy to start the match clearly did not work.
What Next?
The Junior Starlets will head to Cameroon with renewed determination and lessons learned. With a single goal to chase and talent at their disposal, a comeback is well within reach.
“We’re still in this. This team doesn’t give up,” Cheche said defiantly.
The dream of returning to the World Cup is still alive—but now, it must be earned the hard way.
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