The Kenya under-17 girls football team, also known as Junior Starlets, has secured a spot in the next round of the 2024 FIFA World Cup qualifiers without playing a match. They were supposed to compete against Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but DRC withdrew, leading to confirmation of Junior Starlets’ qualification by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and CAF. The first leg of the clash was to be held in DRC, with Nairobi hosting the second leg. The team will now prepare to face either Ethiopia or South Africa in the third round between May 10 and May 19.

The head coach, Mildred Cheche, has shifted the team’s focus to the upcoming qualifiers in May after DRC’s withdrawal, expressing an advantage in being able to concentrate on preparations. If Kenya qualifies for the FIFA World Cup, they will compete with other nations in an event expected to be held in the Dominican Republic from mid-October.