Kenya national Under-17 girls’ team, also known as the Junior Starlets, began their journey to their historic debut at the 2024 Fifa U-17 World Cup, which is slated to take place in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3.
Their first assignment will be an 11-day training camp in Marbella, Spain, before proceeding to their final destination in the Dominican Republic at the end of this month, ahead of the global tournament.
During their flag-off ceremony earlier this week on Wednesday, President William Ruto expressed his optimism about the Junior Starlets delivering outstanding performances throughout their fixtures on the global stage.
Similarly, the Head of State remarked that it had taken Kenya 60 years to reach this global stage and asserted, “When the history of Kenyan football is written, your names will be inscribed in gold.”
Under the tutelage of coach Mildred Cheche, the Junior Starlets will face Group C rivals and powerhouses England, Korea, and DPR.
Meanwhile, coach Cheche, has named the final squad for the upcoming Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup.
12 players, including Claire Meris and Mitshelle Waithera, have not been selected for the final roster.
Despite their significant contributions during the World Cup qualifiers, the coaching staff felt it was essential to prioritize a balance of fitness, form and tactical alignment to ensure the team’s readiness for the challenges ahead.
Sheryl Amuok is another notable absence from the squad, having sustained a knee injury during the East Africa School Games.
Despite not making the final roster, these players remain key figures in the program, and their commitment has played an essential role in the team’s journey to this point.
During their time in Spain, the Junior Starlets will participate in friendly matches designed to sharpen their skills and tactics ahead of their debut on the global stage.
The Junior Starlets will kick off their group stage matches on October 18 against England.
They will face Korea DPR on October 20, and complete their group fixtures on October 24 against Mexico.
This will be the Junior Starlets’ first appearance at the World Cup, and the team remains focused on representing Kenya with pride.
