Kenya’s Junior Starlets are poised to etch their names into history as they make their debut at the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in the Dominican Republic. The team’s first encounter will be against England’s U-17 side in a match scheduled for 2 a.m. Kenyan time at the Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros. This historic moment is not only a celebration of their entry into the global football scene but also a reflection of the rapid growth of women’s football in Kenya.
The tournament, running from October 16 to November 3, 2024, places Kenya in Group D, where they will face some of the world’s most formidable footballing nations. Following their opener against England, the Junior Starlets will play Korea DPR on October 20th and conclude their group stage campaign against Mexico on October 24th. This momentous participation signifies a major step forward for the nation’s women’s football program, providing these young athletes an unprecedented platform to showcase their talents on the world stage.
For the Junior Starlets, the tournament represents more than a simple competition; it is a testimony to how far Kenyan women’s football has come. The journey to the World Cup has been a long and challenging one, but it has also been filled with promise and potential. As the team takes the field, they carry with them the hopes and dreams of an entire nation, eager to see these young women defy the odds.
Coach Cheche: Confidence in the Face of Challenge
The team’s head coach, Mildred Cheche, has remained both confident and cautious as the team prepares to face England. Aware of the perception that Kenya may be considered underdogs, Cheche views this as an advantage.
“Being our first time, most people see us as underdogs, but I take it as an advantage because no one knows how we play. So yeah, we have a big task, but we’re up for it,” she remarked.
Kenya’s first opponent, England, is a powerhouse in youth football, boasting a strong history in the U-17 Women’s World Cup. England finished fourth in the tournament in 2008 and, more recently, has been in excellent form, losing only one of their last 11 games. Despite the challenge, Cheche remains composed and sees the match as an important measure of Kenya’s level of preparedness.
“Yes, again, it’s England. It’s one of the important matches because it’s our first match. It will show us the level we are. So, yeah, it’s a very important match,” Cheche emphasized.
Optimism Amidst Challenges
The Junior Starlets’ preparation has included a series of build-up matches, where they demonstrated considerable improvement, including a draw against Portugal. Despite the odds and the limited facilities in comparison to their opponents, the girls are filled with optimism and determination. They are ready to show the world what a small, developing country with limited resources can achieve on the global stage.
Their participation in the World Cup is a remarkable achievement for a squad composed predominantly of school-going students, the majority of whom are still in high school. The team’s composition underscores the youthful exuberance and potential within Kenya’s grassroots football structures.
Meet the Squad
The Junior Starlets squad is made up of some of Kenya’s most promising young footballers:
– Goalkeepers: Velma Auma (Wiyeta Secondary School), Ephy Awuor (Madira Girls), Scovia Awuor (Kobala Secondary School).
– Defenders: Elizebeth Ochaka (Kenya Police Bullets), Lorine Ilavonga (Wiyeta Secondary School), Jenevieve Mithel (Nyakach Secondary School), Christine Adhiambo (Nyakach Secondary School), Kimberly Akinyi (Madira 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), Pearl Olesi (St. Joseph’s Kitale), Lorna Faith (Butere Girls).
– Forwards: Valerie Nekesa (Madira Girls), Joan Ogola (St. Maurice Mwira Junior High), Marion Serenge (Archbishop Njenga Secondary), Quinter Adhiambo (St. Alfred Alara Mixed), Jane Kweyu (St. Martha’s Mwitoti Secondary School), Joy Angela Valencia (Butere Girls).
The Junior Starlets may be entering uncharted territory, but with determination, resilience, and a strong sense of national pride, they are ready to seize their moment. As the country stays up to catch glimpses of their debut match, one thing is certain: history is being made, and the future of Kenyan women’s football looks brighter than ever.
