Baylon Kabongolo: Strategies for Success Against Benin in U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
Les Léopards cadettes have secured their spot in the second-to-last round of qualifiers for the U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco 2025 on Sunday, January 19, 2025, in Niamey at the Général Seny Kountchis Stadium. They overcame Niger’s Mena 2-0. Despite the challenging journey due to a well-controlled first leg of the double confrontation a week prior at the Stade des Martyrs, the Nigeriens, wounded in their pride, came to their home ground highly motivated to strike hard and create a wild scenario. “The Nigerien team had many opportunities from the start. If not for their inaccuracy, we could have conceded two goals. It’s a young team on the rise. They must maintain the same group. They need to work; it’s not the end of the world. I really appreciated the sportsmanship of the Nigerien people, the staff, and the players; it shows that it’s a football-loving country with a sense of brotherhood,” commented Baylon Kabongolo to the press after the match.
Baylon Kabongolo’s Insight
The coach, currently seen as a savior for successfully instilling a winning mentality in a team formed just a week ago, raises the stakes for the rest of the campaign. He believes that the two wins “are not our goal. It’s just a step. We aim to qualify for the World Cup. Despite the victory, there are many mistakes to correct on my part to perform better against Benin, a good team that we will prepare for accordingly. We acknowledge their level, and we will play accordingly. We will devise a game plan. God willing, we will progress; let’s give time its due, we will work a lot and correct many flaws,” he affirms.
Key Strategies for Success
For the upcoming matches in March against Benin’s U17 Amazons, Baylon is advised to deploy “five defenders, including two full-backs and three center-backs; two center-forwards and one winger.” The historic qualification for this stage of the competition naturally paves the way for success for the category’s selection, which had not been involved in this competition for almost three years. In February 2024, due to “financial constraints,” the Congolese Football Association (FECOFA) had to withdraw their participation in the qualifiers for the U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic 2024 in favor of Kenya’s Starlets.
In conclusion, Baylon Kabongolo’s strategic approach and commitment to improvement are crucial for the team’s success in the upcoming matches against Benin. By addressing the identified areas of improvement and leveraging the team’s strengths, Les Léopards cadettes can enhance their performance and increase their chances of securing a spot in the World Cup. Let’s cheer on the team as they strive for victory and make their mark on the international stage.