Why 8 will miss Rising Starlets’ Cameroon World Cup qualifier

Rising Starlets are set to miss key players for the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualification against Cameroon on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

According to head coach Beldine Odemba, the eight who will not be available for the crucial tie have been ruled out as they will be sitting for their national Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.

Odemba optimistic

“We’ll miss eight players in this round as they will sit for their KCSE exams, including our Captain Jane Hato. While their absence does pose a challenge, it’s an opportunity for eight new talents to shine,” Odemba told the Football Kenya Federation‘s (FKF) website.

The coach, who is also handling the senior side that advanced to the Africa Women Cup of Nations [AWCON], is hopeful that the available girls will do the duty ahead.

“This new blood will hopefully integrate seamlessly with the team, and we’ll have a fresh face stepping into the captain’s role. We’ll work hard to overcome this hurdle in the upcoming round, and hopefully, in the next round, we will emerge with a stronger, more resilient team,” she added.

Kenya will travel to Yaounde to play the Central Africans at 7 p.m. at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo before the return leg that has been planned to take place on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Should the Rising Starlets see off Cameroon on aggregate, they will face the winners of the fourth and final round, which will be between Congo and Egypt.

The 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals are set to be held in Colombia.

Harambee Starlets provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Scovia Awuor (Kobala Secondary), Christine Omolo (Butere Girls), and Velma Abwire (Wiyeta Secondary School).

Defenders: Rebecca Kwoba (Zetech Sparks), Rachel Adhiambo (Acakoro), Dorcas Glender (Butere Sec.), Judith Nandwa (Butere Sec.), Ruth Akinyi (Nasokol Sec. Sch.), Charity Luhavi (Wiyeta Sec.), Ann Brenda Ochieng (Macmillan Queens), Christine Imbenzi (Soccer Assassins), Christine Achieng (Jera Sec. Sch), Tabitha Amoit (Wadadia FC), Lavender Waswa (Bungoma Queens), Redempter Mercy (Kobala Sec.), Wendy Awino (Kobala Sec.)

Midfielders: Clotilda Auma (Butere Girls), Elizabeth Muteshi (Nakuru City Queens), Hellen Mito (Soccer Assassins), Mary Akeyo (Lwak Girls High School), Vanesa Wangari (Gaspo Women), Sunira Manda Were (Moi Girls High School Eldoret), Eunice Nabwoba (Wiyeta Secondary School), Juliet Kimberly Diego (St. Christopher’s International School)

Forwards: Valerie Leah Nekesa (Soccer Assassins), Charity Midewa (Soccer Assassins), Anna Nabwire Arusi (Zetech Sparks), Elizabeth Mideva (Arch Bishop Njenga), Mollvine Achieng (KISPED), Lilian Mutanu (Gaspo Women), Sharlyne Opisa (Amus College), Fasila Odhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets), Emily Okute (Gaspo Women), Siplenda Mmboga (Kobala Secondary)