Kenya’s Junior Starlets fell 1-0 to Cameroon at Nyayo Stadium in a tight U17 World Cup qualifier first leg.
Junior Starlets succumb to 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final round qualifier first leg at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A lacklustre effort with few real chances saw the Junior Starlets struggle from defence to attack, with Jenevieve Mithel standing out as the only notable performer in the team.
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Kenya created chances particularly at the begining of the second half, but Cameroon's time wasting tactics in this period prevented the game from finding any sort of rythm.
Velma Abwire – 5
Was immense between the sticks, leaving her selection ahead of Scovia Awuour vindicated.
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Made a massive point-blank save – the major talking point in the first half – to keep Kenya in the game.
Also pulled off another great stop in the second half to deny Cameroon from distance.
Jenevieve Mithel – 6
Showed good defensive discipline, closed down her flank well and won most of her duels.
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Did not get forward much but was very effective in her clearances and recovery runs.
Judith Nandwa – 5
Very shaky. Breached on a number of occasions through the middle and was exposed before the point-blank save by Abwire and later before conceding the lone goal of the match.
Lorine Ilavonga – 5
Her best action was arguably a strong clearance in the first half.
The defence was poorly organised, particularly during the goal that saw the entire backline switch off to the run behind.
Elizabeth Ochaka – 5
Showed good energy to get up and down the flank but tired in the second half.
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Key moment was being caught out of position and allowing space down the line for the cross that led to the goal.
Halima Imbachi – 5
Good in cover defence on transition and made some well-timed tackles.
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Got sucked out and often crossed her lines with midfield partner Edinah Nasipwondi, playing each other out of position. Not effective in distribution going forward.
Edinah Nasipwondi – 5
Tried her best to keep the midfield shape and was equally decisive in breaking down some Cameroonian attacks.
Her communication with Imbachi was lacking and was kept out of the build-up on many occasions.
Mwanakombo Bakari – 5
Pedestrian in the first half and struggled to avail herself in space. Was left to track back more often than going forward, failing to feed Joyangela Valencia or Joan Ogola.
Joyangela Valencia – 5
Popped up in a few good areas and made some promising runs in attack but lacked the final pass. Did not help much in defensive transitions by failing to drop back and support Mithel. Substituted at halftime.
Brenda Achieng – 4
Ineffective and off the pace. Gave the ball away cheaply and was substituted just before the half-hour mark as Kenya looked to regain control of the midfield.
Joan Ogola – 5
Worked hard but to little effect. Often in possession with her back faced to goal and was unable to threaten up front.
Her combination with Valencia seemed to have broken down, and constantly had calls from the referee go against her as she grew frustrated. Had one shot on goal saved. Was substituted out in the 77th minute.
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Substitutes:
Linedy Atieno
Replaced Brenda in the 30th minute as the midfield was dead. Her fresh legs helped her get around and was able to carry the ball forward with a few good runs.
Attempted a cross late on but failed to hit the target. Did not play long enough for a rating.
Mitchell Waithera
Came in at the start of the second half for Valencia. Showed intent in transition and gave Kenya some pace going forward, but could not influence the game significantly. Did not play long enough for a rating.
Patricence Asiko
Thrown on in the last 13 minutes. Created an aerial threat as Kenya restored to route-one football, and almost had an effect when she flicked on a long-ball into the box, which Atieno made no use of in stoppage time. Did not play long enough for a rating.