Kenya’s U17 Women Eliminated from 2025 World Cup Qualifiers After Cameroon Loss
Kenya’s World Cup Journey Ends on a Tough Note
The dream of a second consecutive appearance at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup has slipped away for Kenya’s Junior Starlets. After fighting hard for most of their campaign, the team’s journey ended in heartbreak with a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Cameroon, a result that’s hit both players and fans right where it hurts.
The first leg on April 20 in Nairobi was a tense affair. Kenya started out full of energy, showing flashes of the skill that took them to the global stage last year. But despite weaving together decent passages of play, the Starlets just couldn’t find the net when it mattered. Cameroon snatched their chance—capitalizing on a brief lapse in focus from Kenya’s defense to register the game’s lone goal. The home side tried to fight back, but chance after chance went begging. If you ask their supporters, they’ll tell you this game was lost in front of goal rather than at the back.
Fast forward to April 25 in Yaoundé. This is where Kenya needed a big night. The crowd in the Stade Olembe knew this was do-or-die for the Junior Starlets. As the game picked up pace, Kenya’s urgency was clear. Esther Ochaka sparked hope midway through the second half, confidently putting away a penalty after a handball call. With everything to play for, that moment seemed to jolt the Starlets back into contention.
But football, as ever, can be ruthless. Cameroon's Tazanou broke the deadlock just minutes later, capitalizing on confusion in the Kenyan box. The contest then turned into the Tiwa show. Cameroon's talismanic midfielder rattled in not one but two penalties—one in the late minutes after Kenya gave away a tough foul. By then, you could see disappointment starting to sink in for the Starlets, who simply couldn’t keep pace down the stretch.
Missed Opportunities, Hard Lessons, and What’s Next
Looking back, the tie was lost not just because of Cameroon's sharp finishing but Kenya’s missed opportunities. Early in the return leg, Tiwa thought she had scored, only for the goal to be disallowed for a handball. On Kenya’s end, Nasipwondi went inches wide after a gorgeous solo effort from the edge of the box—a chance that could have put serious pressure on the hosts. Goalkeeper Abwire had her work cut out, pulling off several smart saves to keep the deficit manageable, but cracks kept appearing in the Kenyan back line as the match wore on.
The Starlets’ defeat stings all the more given how bright their start had been. Last year, the squad made headlines for qualifying for their first ever U17 Women’s World Cup. Expectations had soared, and fans hoped this group would go even further. Instead, reality hit—a reminder of the small margins at the international stage. Miss a chance, lose focus for a minute, and you’re out.
- The home crowd in Nairobi witnessed a solid defensive fight but also missed attacking chances.
- Cameroon’s Tiwa proved the difference, not just with goals but driving the midfield from start to finish.
- Kenya’s young squad makes no secret they need to work on conversion and staying alert defensively till the final whistle.
There’s no way around it—the Junior Starlets are out, and it hurts. But the flashes of promise shown by individuals like Ochaka and the near-misses from Nasipwondi have given fans something to look forward to. For the coaching staff, it’s now about tightening up at the back, drilling composure in front of goal, and building a team that can handle pressure away from home. The World Cup door is closed for now, but this young Kenyan side is only just getting started.
