Coach Cheche names provisional squad for U17 Women’s World Cup preparations

By Peter Ochieng

The Kenya national U17 women’s football team, Junior Starlets head coach, Mildred Cheche, has named a provisional squad of 35 players for preparations ahead of the 2024 Women’s U17 FIFA World Cup.

The Dominican Republic will host the soccer bonanza, from October 16th to November 3rd, 2024. Placed in group C, Junior Starlets will open their World Cup campaign with a match against England on October 18th, before facing former Champions South Korea two days later.

Cheche’s charges will then conclude group matches against Mexico on October 24.

According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the players are expected to report to camp on Saturday, August 24th, 2024, where they will train for 17 days. The team, FKF added, will travel to Spain on September 10th for an extended training period, until they depart for the Dominican Republic on October 1st.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Velma Auma (Wiyeta Secondary School), Ephy Awuor (Madira Girls), Scovia Awuor (Kobala Secondary School), Elizabeth Munyanya (Kilimo Girls High School).

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

Midfielders: Velma Awuor (Nyakach Girls), Brenda Awuor (Madira Girls), Halima Imbachi (Butere Girls), 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: Abigael Nelima (St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale), Lorna Faith (Butere Girls), Lilian Mueni (St. Bridgit Syomunyu Girls), Salma Baya (Kombani Secondary School), 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 Secondary School), Patience Asiko (Butere Girls), Ruth Nanjala (St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale), Lucy Naliaka (Kinale Girls).

Junior Starlets become the first Kenyan football team to reach such a prestigious level in international competitions.