Junior Starlets handed walkover as DRC withdraw from FIFA U17 World Cup qualifers

The Kenya National U17 Girls’ side Junior Starlets  has advanced to the third round of the CAF 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers following the withdrawal of DR Congo.

This development was officially confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Consequently, the anticipated match between both sides which was initially scheduled for Sunday, February 4, 2024, will no longer take place.

“We were looking forward to the match against RD Congo; however, due to recent developments, we won’t be facing them. Nevertheless, this situation presents an advantage as we can now focus on our preparations for the upcoming qualifier against our next opponent, ” said Junior Starelts coach Mildred Cheche.

Junior Starlets are now set to face the winner of the match between South Africa and Ethiopia in the upcoming third round of qualifiers. 

The two-legged qualifier is scheduled to unfold between May 10 and May 19, 2024.

In light of these changes, the team's training camp has been ended and the players have been released back to their respective schools and clubs. 

The team had been in residential camp in Nairobi for the past one week and was expected to fly out on Friday, with the game penciled for Sunday afternoon.

There are four rounds of qualification to the World Cup, and only three teams will earn the ticket to represent the continent at the final tournament in the Dominican Republic in October.

Follow our Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more updates.