Kenya's Junior Starlets begin their second FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup campaign on Monday, October 19, when they take on China PR in their Group E opener in Morocco, with kick-off set for 6pm East Africa Time.

The tournament, which got under way on October 17 and runs until November 7, has been expanded to 24 teams for the first time. Kenya are drawn alongside China PR, the United States and Samoa, and will play the USA on Thursday, October 22, before closing the group against Samoa on Sunday, October 25, both at 9pm EAT, according to The Eastleigh Voice.

A route to the last 16

The new format offers Kenya a realistic path out of the group. The top two teams in each of the six groups advance to the Round of 16, along with the four best third-placed sides. That makes Monday's meeting with China, a traditional Asian power in women's football, pivotal: a positive result would put the Starlets in strong contention before they face the heavily fancied Americans.

The Standard described the opening match as crucial to Kenya's hopes, noting that the team's primary target is to progress beyond the group stage.

Learning from the 2024 debut

Kenya made their first appearance at the tournament in the Dominican Republic in 2024, where they won one of their three group matches and lost the other two, exiting at the first hurdle. Captain Beverlyne Awuor says the squad has higher ambitions this time.

"Last time we won one match, this time we want to win more than one, and even reach the finals," Awuor said, as quoted by Citizen Digital.

The Starlets earned their return ticket in emphatic fashion, beating South Africa 5-1 on aggregate in the final qualifying round. After a 2-0 first-leg win in Pretoria, they came from behind to win the return leg 3-1 at Nyayo National Stadium, with Gaudencia Maloba, Brenda Awuor and substitute Elizabeth Alizeba on target, Citizen Digital reported.

Preparations disrupted, then settled

The build-up has not been entirely smooth. A planned pre-tournament camp in Spain was called off over logistical problems, and the team instead flew to Morocco on October 8, setting up base in Mohammedia, The Standard reported. Head coach Mildred Cheche played down the setback, saying the extra days in North Africa would help the players adjust to conditions.

"There is an advantage in acclimatization," Cheche said before departure, according to The Standard.

The team played build-up matches against Ghana's U-17 side and Moroccan club Sporting Club Casablanca, The Eastleigh Voice reported, although a handful of players picked up injuries in the final phase of camp, forcing late changes to the travelling party. Spire Academy midfielder Mwanakombo Bakari joined the squad from the United States on October 15.

What to watch

Kenya's defence, anchored by captain Awuor, will be tested by China's organised, technical approach, while the forward line that did the damage against South Africa will be expected to provide the cutting edge. With the USA, one of the tournament favourites, waiting three days later, the Starlets know that points against China and Samoa are likely to decide whether they make history by reaching the knockout rounds.

Photos: Junior Starlets arriving for the tournament, The Standard; coach Mildred Cheche with players, The Eastleigh Voice.