Junior Starlets Gear Up for Historic 2024 U17 Women’s World Cup

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Junior Starlets Kenya U17 Women
Junior Starlets, Kenya's U17 Women's National Team, warm up before a past training session at the Kasarani Annex

The Junior Starlets, Kenya’s U17 Women’s National team, has kicked off preparations for the upcoming 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in the Dominican Republic between October 16 and November 3, 2024.

This marks the first time in history that a Kenyan national football team will participate in a FIFA World Cup.

35 players reported to residential training on Saturday, August 24th, 2024, to start preparations for the global football competition. The team will camp in Nairobi before travelling to Marbella, Spain, on September 19, 2024, for an acclimatisation camp as part of their preparations.

In Spain, the Kenyan girls shall participate in friendly matches before travelling to the Dominican Republic on October 1, 2024.

Notable names in Coach Mildred Cheche’s provisional squad include Madira Girls’ Valarie Nekesa and Butere Girls’ Lorna Faith, who both played a crucial part in Kenya’s qualification. Others are Arch Bishop Njenga’s Marion Serenge and Kenya Police Bullets defender Elizebeth Ochaka.

KCSE Exams

As a tournament reserved for players under the age of 17, some of the squad members were uncertain about featuring in the tournament, which coincides with the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE).

However, this matter has been addressed. The Ministry of Education confirmed that the affected players will be allowed to represent the Junior Starlets but will sit for special national examinations after the tournament.

The affected players include Rebecca Odato (Dagoretti Mixed), Velma Awour (Nyakach Girls), Lorine Illavonga (Wiyeta Girls), Velma Abwire (Wiyeta Girls), Christine Adhiambo (AIC Nyakach Girls), Quinter Adhiambo (Alara Girls), Clares Meries (Kobala Secondary), Marion Serenge (Archbishop Njenga) and Lindey Atieno (Sunflower Primary, Kariobangi).

“As per the KNEC policy of handling hardship cases affecting candidates sitting national examinations, the Council will liaise with the center managers of the affected secondary schools and make appropriate arrangements within the examination period for administration of the 2024 KCSE papers that clashes with the World Cup fixtures for the Kenyan team,” read part of a letter signed by the National Examinations Council CEO David Njengere.

“We appeal to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports to consider making travel arrangements for the candidates (players) to be back at their respective schools as soon as their active participation in the tournament ends,” it continues in part.

Competitors and Expectations

Kenya has been drawn in Group C of the competition alongside North Korea, Mexico, and England. Group A comprises the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, and Nigeria, while Group B comprises Spain, the United States, South Korea, and Colombia. Zambia will be in Group D alongside Japan, Poland, and Brazil.

The Junior Starlets will kick off their campaign against England on October 17th, 2024. They will return to action for their second fixture against North Korea on October 20 before winding up their preliminary matches against Mexico on October 23, 2024.

Ghana and Nigeria have participated in the tournament six times, the most by any nation. Cameroon and South Africa have participated twice, while the Gambia, Morocco, Tanzania, and Zambia have qualified once. Meanwhile, Korea DPR and Spain have the most titles, two, while France, Japan, and the Korean Republic have won the tournament once apiece.

Background on Kenya’s Qualification

Kenya beat Ethiopia 3-0 on aggregate in the third round of the qualifiers before sealing qualification with a 5-0 aggregate win over Burundi in the fourth and final qualification round. The girls had an easy passage in the second round after DR Congo failed to turn up, while the first round was a bye.

The U17 Women’s World Cup is more than just a tournament for Kenya; it is an opportunity to showcase the growth and potential of women’s football in the country. Over the past few years, the sport has seen a surge in popularity and support.

Growth of Women’s Football

Participation in the U17 World Cup is a significant milestone for Kenya’s women’s football. It exposes the players to international competition and inspires young girls across the country to pursue football as a career. A strong performance in this tournament could lead to more investment in the sport, from grassroots programs to sponsorships and scholarships for talented players.

Junior Starlets Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Velma Auma (Wiyeta Secondary Sch.), Ephy Awuor (Madira Girls), Scovia Awuor (Kobala Sec.), Elizabeth Munyanya (Kilimo Girls High Sch.).

Defenders

Elizebeth Ochaka (Kenya Police Bullets), Claire Meris (Kobala Sec. Sch), Lorine Ilavonga (Wiyeta Sec. Sch.), Valerie Wanjiru Oyugi (Ligi Ndogo), Jenevieve Mithel (Nyakach Sec.), Christine Adhiambo (Nyakach Sec.), Elizabeth Anyango (Beijing Raiders), Kimberly Akinyi (Madira Girls), Sheryl Amuok (Nyakach Girls), Diana Anyango (Butere Girls).

Midfielders

Velma Awuor (Nyakach Girls Secondary), Brenda Awuor (Madira Girls), Halima Imbachi (Butere Girls Secondary), Rebecca Odato (Dagoretti Mixed), Susan Akoth (Acakoro Ladies), Lindi Weey Atieno (Sunflower Junior High School), Nancy Anyango (Nyakach Girls), Pearl Olesi (St. Joseph’s Kitale).

Forwards

Abiagel Nelima (St. Joseph’s Gilrs Kitale), Lorna Faith (Butere Girls), Lilian Mueni (St.Bridgit Syomunyu Girls), Salma Baya (Kombani Sec. Sch), Valerie Nekesa (Madira Girls), Joan Ogola (St. Maurice Mwira Junior High), Mitshelle Waithera (Acakoro Ladies), Marion Serenge (Archbishop Njenga Secondary), Quinter Adhiambo (St. Alfred Alara Mixed), Jane Kweyu (St. Martha’s Mwitoti Sec. Sch), Patience Asiko (Butere Girls High Sch.), Ruth Nanjala (St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale), Lucy Naliaka (Kinale Girls High Sch.)

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