The Junior Starlets’ dreams of back-to-back participation in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup were dashed after a 3-1 defeat (4-1 on aggregate) to Cameroon in the second leg of their final round of qualifiers, held at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé on Friday, April 25.
Having lost the first leg at home 1-0, the Junior Starlets needed a two-goal turnaround to secure their place in consecutive World Cups, but they fell short in this decisive match.
The team, coached by Mildred Cheche, found themselves trailing early after a seemingly weak sixth-minute shot from Avana D. Ze Beatrice disrupted their game plan, similar to the first leg of the tie.
Kenyan captain Elizabeth Ochaka breathed some life into the contest with a superb equalizer from the penalty spot. After Wendji Nde Yvana was deemed to have handled the ball inside the box, Ochaka stepped up and delivered her spot-kick into the top-right corner.
However, the hosts quickly responded, capitalizing on a rare lapse in Starlets’ defense. Judith Nandwa lost possession, allowing Avana to assist Tazanou Ange, who was unmarked and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Abwire.
The final nail in the coffin came with five minutes remaining when Tiwa Melong Lys Fraiche converted another penalty after being fouled in the box, securing the Baby Lionesses’ first trip to the World Cup since 2018.
