Kenya’s Junior Starlets have been challenged to put their opening defeat behind them and rise to the occasion against the United States at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Former Harambee Starlets coach David Ouma believes Kenya can pull off a surprise against the Americans, despite their emphatic 17-0 victory over Samoa in their first Group E match.
Highlights
- David Ouma believes Junior Starlets can defeat the USA in their second group match.
- Kenya opened its campaign with a 3-0 loss to China.
- The USA thrashed Samoa 17-0 in a record-setting performance.
- Kenya hopes to reach the knockout stage for the first time in the team’s history.
- The Junior Starlets will conclude their group campaign against Samoa on October 25.
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Ouma Urges Junior Starlets to Believe
Former Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma has backed Kenya’s Junior Starlets to produce a strong performance against the United States in their second Group E fixture at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Ouma, who currently coaches Mathare United, said Kenya should not be intimidated by the Americans’ impressive start to the tournament. He believes the young Kenyan side has a chance of securing a positive result if the players improve their finishing and make better use of the opportunities they create.
The Junior Starlets suffered a 3-0 defeat against China in their opening match on Monday, leaving them under pressure to collect points in their remaining group fixtures.
Ouma said he watched the match and felt Kenya had opportunities that could have changed the outcome but were not converted.
He also drew from his own coaching experience, recalling a past occasion when a heavy victory by one opponent did not prevent his team from winning against them later.
His message to the players is that the USA’s opening result should not determine Kenya’s approach to the contest.
USA Arrive After Record-Breaking Win
The Americans enter the fixture with considerable momentum after overwhelming Samoa 17-0 in their opening Group E match.
They scored nine times before half-time and added another eight goals in the second period, producing a historic margin of victory in an 11-a-side FIFA World Cup match.
Forward Maddie DiMaria was among the standout performers, finding the net six times. Her tally set a record for the most goals scored by an individual player in a Women’s World Cup match across all age categories.
Ten American players scored during the encounter, demonstrating the depth of their attacking threat.
For Kenya, the challenge will be to remain compact defensively, limit the space available to American attackers and take advantage of any opportunities that arise in the opposite half.
Kenya Seeking First Knockout-Stage Appearance
The Junior Starlets are chasing a historic achievement at the tournament as they seek to progress beyond the group stage for the first time.
Kenya made its debut at the 2024 edition in the Dominican Republic, finishing third in Group C with three points.
The team lost 2-0 to England and 3-0 to North Korea before registering a 2-1 victory over Mexico in its final group fixture.
That maiden campaign offered valuable international experience, and the team will hope to build on those lessons in Morocco.
Kenya booked its place at the 2026 tournament after an impressive qualifying campaign that culminated in a 5-1 aggregate victory over South Africa in the final round.
The achievement underlined the team’s progress and gave the young players another opportunity to test themselves against some of the world’s strongest youth sides.
Samoa Match Could Prove Crucial
After facing the United States, Kenya will wrap up its Group E fixtures against Samoa on October 25. Both remaining matches are scheduled to take place at the Mohammed VI Football Academy.
The result against the Americans could have a major bearing on Kenya’s hopes of advancing, depending on the wider group standings and qualification rules.
While the USA’s scoring display makes them formidable opponents, the Junior Starlets will need to focus on their own performance, particularly their defensive organisation, composure in possession and ability to convert chances.
For Ouma, belief remains an important ingredient as Kenya looks to respond to its opening setback.
The Junior Starlets now have an opportunity to show how much they have learned from their first match and keep their World Cup ambitions alive.
The odds may favour the opposition, but Kenya’s next chapter will be written by what the Junior Starlets do on the pitch.
