Kenya's U17 women's team has intensified training this week ahead of the fourth and final round of the FIFA U17 World Cup qualifier first-leg clash against Burundi this weekend.

The team is seeking to make history as the first Kenyan national side, male or female, to qualify for a World Cup, and will play the first leg in the neutral venue of Ethiopia on Sunday.

The Junior Starlets will then host Burundi in Nairobi a week later on June 16, with the aggregate winner qualifying automatically to represent Africa at the Women's U17 World Cup that will be played in the Dominican Republic in October.

Speaking on Tuesday in Kenya's capital Nairobi, team members said they were wary of the threat carried by their east African rivals, but were inspired by the prospect of making history.

"The opportunity to qualify for the World Cup is immense for our careers. The scouting opportunities are immense, and it will be a game-changer for both my life and my family," said midfielder Halima Imbachi.

Defender Lorine Illayonga echoed the sentiments, declaring that the team is determined not to blow the opportunity of playing at a global stage.

"Representing the Kenyan flag means everything to us. The team is completely focused on this final match against Burundi; it's all we talk about, and we are all aligned on the focus of having a positive result," she added.

The Junior Starlets will depart for Ethiopia on Friday for the match at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, before returning home afterwards to train for the second leg.

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