U-17 WWC Qualifying: Cameroon shatter Kenya Junior Starlets dream with victory

Photo Credit – FKF Media.

Cameroon ended Kenya Junior Starlets dream of gracing a second World Cup following a 3-1 win in the return leg of the third round fixture of the 2025 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé on Friday.

The Junior Starlets were looking to overturn a slender 1-0 deficit from last Sunday’s first leg at Nyayo Stadium. Tiwa Melong’s 27th-minute strike from a well-whipped corner proved the difference in the first leg match.

However, it was the Junior Indomitable Lions, who progressed on a 4-1 aggregate result. Playing at home, Cameroon built on the advantage from Nairobi as they took a deserved lead with only six minutes played through Beatrice Avana.

Kenya started the second half brightly and they were awarded a penalty which Elizabeth Ochaka converted to make the scores 1-1. However, their celebrations were short-lived as Ange Tazanou restored the hosts’ lead three minutes after the restart.

With Kenya looking to force a comeback, Lys Fraîche Tiwa sealed the victory for Cameroon after she scored the third in the 83rd minute for a 3-1 win and a 4-1 aggregate scoreline.

Last year, Junior Starlets secured a maiden appearance at the U17 World Cup but failed to make it past the group phases after a third-place finish in Group C.