Kenya’s Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has challenged her players to improve their finishing and defensive organization as they prepare to face the United States in their second Group E match at the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Junior Starlets suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to China in their opening match on Monday, October 19, at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat. The result increased pressure on the Kenyan side to deliver an improved performance against the Americans to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.

Speaking after the defeat, Cheche acknowledged that her players showed promise during the first half but struggled to maintain their performance after the break. She noted that creating scoring opportunities was not enough, insisting that the team must become more clinical in front of goal.

The coach also identified defensive organization as another area requiring urgent improvement before the encounter scheduled for Thursday, October 22.

Despite the setback, Cheche expressed determination to encourage her players and prepare them for the remaining group matches. She believes the team can learn from its opening performance and respond positively against a strong American side.

Midfielder Lindey Weey Atieno also expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back, urging Kenyan fans to continue supporting the young players. She said the team would adopt a different approach against the United States and remain focused on securing a positive result.

Kenya faces a formidable challenge, with the United States having opened its campaign with a commanding 17-0 victory over Samoa. The Americans' attacking strength makes defensive discipline and effective use of scoring opportunities particularly important for the Junior Starlets.

The Kenyan side is making its second appearance at the Under-17 Women's World Cup, having debuted at the 2024 edition in the Dominican Republic. During that campaign, Kenya recorded a memorable 2-1 victory over Mexico after losing to England and North Korea. Following the China defeat, the Junior Starlets will be seeking a stronger performance against the USA before concluding their group-stage campaign against Samoa on October 25.

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