Kenya’s Valerie Nekesa continues to break barriers and put her name on the global football map after being nominated for the prestigious 2024 CAF Young Player of the Year Award in the women’s category. The talented forward is among the top 10 nominees vying for the title, making her the only East African representative in this elite group. The recognition marks a defining moment in Nekesa’s flourishing career and a proud achievement for Kenyan football.
Nekesa’s Competitors for CAF Awards Young Player Of The Year
Nekesa’s inclusion on the CAF list reflects her outstanding performances in 2024, a year that saw her rise to prominence on both local and international stages. She stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other African prodigies, including Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and Flourish Sabastine from Nigeria, Lina Mokhtar Jamai and Doha El Madani from Morocco, Stella Nyamekye from Ghana, and Nthabiseng Majiya from South Africa. From Cameroon, Naomi Eto and Cathy Biya also join the list, alongside Egypt’s Habiba Sabry.
These nominations not only highlight individual talent but also underline the growing recognition of women’s football across the continent.
A Historic Year for Nekesa
Valerie Nekesa’s nomination comes after a year that can only be described as remarkable. In 2024, she played a pivotal role in helping the Junior Starlets become the first-ever Kenyan team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. At the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, Nekesa wrote her name in the history books by scoring Kenya’s first-ever goal in the tournament during a thrilling 2-1 victory against Mexico. Her goal, coupled with Lorna Faith’s strike, secured a memorable win that left a lasting mark on Kenya’s football history.
The achievement went beyond individual glory as Nekesa’s heroics also spotlighted the collective resilience and talent of the Junior Starlets, who finished third in their group—a commendable performance for a debutant team.
Nekesa’s Recognition Beyond the Pitch
Nekesa’s achievements haven’t gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, she was honored as the Most Promising Girl at the 2023 Sports Personality of the Year Awards. Her excellence extends beyond national duty, as she also demonstrated stellar performances for Madira Girls High School, underlining her commitment to the sport at every level.
Kenya’s Historic Nominations at the CAF Awards
Valerie Nekesa isn’t the only Kenyan receiving recognition at the CAF Awards. The Junior Starlets have been nominated for the National Team of the Year Award, while their head coach ,Mildred Cheche, is in contention for the Coach of the Year Award in the women’s category.
Under Cheche’s leadership, the Junior Starlets achieved the unthinkable, advancing to their first FIFA World Cup and earning Kenya its first victory in the tournament against formidable opponents. Reflecting on her nomination, Cheche shared an inspiring message:
> “I want to express my sincere gratitude for being nominated for the CAF Coach of the Year award in the women’s category. It is truly an honor and great achievement to be recognized together with the team for the great contribution to women’s football development in Kenya. I extend my deepest appreciation to the formidable technical bench, Junior Starlets girls, the federation, ministry of sports, ministry of education, schools, grassroots clubs, and all our Kenyan fans for the immense support and encouragement. Your invaluable support has encouraged me to continue striving for excellence. We give God all the glory.”
The Junior Starlets’ nomination places them in esteemed company, competing against powerhouse teams like Cameroon U20, Morocco Senior Team, Malawi Senior Team, Nigeria Senior Team, South Africa Senior Team , and others.
A Bright Future for Kenyan Women’s Football
Valerie Nekesa’s nomination and the recognition of the Junior Starlets signify a turning point for Kenyan women’s football. These milestones are a testament to the investment in grassroots development and the commitment of players, coaches, and supporters. Nekesa’s journey from local football pitches to the global stage inspires countless young talents across the country to dream big.
Eyes on Marrakech, CAF Awards Ceremony
The spotlight now shifts to Marrakech, Morocco, where the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony will take place on December 16th. While Nekesa’s nomination is a significant achievement in itself, a victory would cement her place as one of Africa’s brightest young talents and provide a tremendous boost to Kenyan football.
As the clock ticks down to the event, Kenya rallies behind Nekesa, Coach Cheche, and the Junior Starlets. Their accomplishments have already written a new chapter in Kenyan football, one filled with pride, hope, and an unrelenting belief in the potential of the beautiful game.
In the words of Coach Cheche, this is more than an individual achievement; it is a testament to the collective effort of a nation dedicated to the growth of women’s football. With Nekesa leading the charge, the future is undoubtedly bright.