Junior Starlets seek redemption in Samoa clash

“I think the girls gave their best. We still have a long way to go, but we will keep fighting, trying and improving at every World Cup. Our plan is to get at least three points against Samoa and score more goals, which would give the girls good motivation going forward,” Cheche said. Junior Starlets players shield their goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo from USA forwards their World Cup match on 22nd October, 2026 in Morocco. USA won 6-1. Photo courtesy of FKF Media.

Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche is targeting a winning finish to Kenya’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign when her side face Samoa in their final Group E fixture on Sunday, 25 October 2026.

Kenya were eliminated from the tournament after suffering a 6-1 defeat to the United States in their second group match on Thursday.

Maddie DiMaria scored four first-half goals, while Loradana Paletta and Gianna Hanf added one each after the break.

Lindey Weey Atieno scored Kenya’s consolation goal in the closing minutes, becoming only the third Kenyan to score at a FIFA World Cup.

The defeat followed a 3-0 loss to China in Kenya’s opening match. Xu Yue opened the scoring before Xiaotang Xu struck twice in the second half.

“I think the girls gave their best. We still have a long way to go, but we will keep fighting, trying and improving at every World Cup. Our plan is to get at least three points against Samoa and score more goals, which would give the girls good motivation going forward,” Cheche said.

Despite the early exit, Cheche believes the tournament has provided valuable lessons, stressing that greater investment in women’s football is essential.

“Our goal was to go beyond the group stage, but we did not achieve that. We still have a lot to learn and improve, particularly in our structures and the quality of our players. There is work to be done back home.

“We hope that when we return to the World Cup, we will perform better than in the two editions we have taken part in,” she added.

Sunday’s clash against Samoa offers Kenya a chance to end their campaign on a positive note, despite having no chance of reaching the knockout stage.

Meanwhile, the United States have strengthened their position in Group E, with DiMaria emerging as one of the tournament’s standout performers after scoring 10 goals in two appearances.