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Mildred Cheche: History-making Junior Starlets coach speaks after successful World Cup campaign
13th July, 2026 08:16 AM
History-making Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has opened up about the secret behind her team’s successful World Cup qualification campaign. The Junior Starlets made history on Sunday, July 12, 2026, by securing a ticket to the global showpiece after edging out South Africa’s Bantwana 5-1 on aggregate.
The result sees the tactician add another major milestone to her coaching badge, following her successful 2024 campaign, which took the team to the Dominican Republic.
Cheche credited the team’s formidable away form for getting them over the line and sending the girls back to the global stage.
Football history
“It has been a tough shift, and I want to thank the girls for their hard work and commitment,” she stated. The 3-1 victory over South Africa at home means Cheche remains the only coach to lead a Kenyan football team to World Cup games, a feat she acknowledges means the world to her.
“What worked for us is the way we maintained throughout the tournament; it has been key to our successful campaign. Scoring two goals away in South Africa was crucial, and wrapping it up here at home with three goals was fantastic. It really helped us reach where we are now,” Cheche said.
On achieving a second consecutive World Cup qualification, this time to Morocco, Cheche remained modest, describing the achievement as a collective group effort.
“It is never easy to get a team to the World Cup twice, especially here in Kenya. But it has all been down to the immense support from the federation and the unwavering commitment from the squad,” she explained.
Team pep-talk
She also addressed her tense demeanour on the touchline during the first half, noting how a crucial halftime pep talk inspired the girls’ second-half fightback.
“There was palpable tension in the first half, but we reminded them that they were playing at home. We told them they had to come back out, play for the nation, and play for themselves,” she added.
Looking ahead to the global championship in Morocco this October, Cheche already has her sights set on a new target.
“We now look forward to preparing for the games. Our goal is to progress past the group stages, and doing that will demand the absolute best from all of us,” she concluded.
