The Kenya Junior Starlets head coach Midred Cheche has today named the final squad of 23 players ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024.

Kenya who will also carry the CECAFA flag are placed in Group C alongside Mexico, England and Korea DPR.

The Dominican Republic will host the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup 2024 from October 16 to November 3rd, 2024.

During the official flag-off of the team at the State House in Nairobi, President William Samoei Ruto said that he will support the three players who made a huge contribution in the qualification of the team, but did not make the final squad to travel to the Dominican Republic to go and support the team.

Coach Cheche’s team that will start their campaign against England on October 18^th will travel to Spain on Thursday for a pre-World Cup camp where they will also play several friendly matches.

The Junior Starlets will make history by becoming the first Kenyan team to participate in a football World Cup at any level.

“We’ve improved in several areas where we had gaps and strengthened the team. Playing internationally is different from regional competitions, as we will meet the best of the best, and we need to be prepared,” said the coach on Wednesday.

She made it clear that the training camp in Spain will further prepare the team for the tough matches they will play in the World Cup. “Playing teams in Spain will prepare the girls well. All teams in the World Cup are really strong, and being our first time, we are seen as underdogs,” she added.

To qualify for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Kenya had a walkover DR Congo in the second round, ejected Ethiopia 3-0 on aggregate in the third round, and saw off Burundi 5-0 on aggregate in the final phase.

Final Squad

Goalkeepers: Velma Auma, Ephy Awuor, Scovia Awuor

Defenders: Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevieve Mithel, Christine Adhiambo, Kimberly Akinyi, Diana Anyango

Midfielders: Velma Awuor, Brenda Awuor, Halima Imbachi, Rebecca Odato, Susan Akoth, Lindi Weey Atieno, Pearl Olesi, Lorna Faith

Forwards: Valerie Nekesa, Joan Ogola, Marion Serenge, Quinter Adhiambo, Jane Kweyu, Joy Angela Valencia

CECAFA representatives Kenya have been drawn against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mexico and England ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024.

The draw of the eighth edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was conducted by FIFA on Sunday morning in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic where the tournament will be hosted.

The Junior Starlets of Kenya qualified for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after seeing off Burundi 5-0 on goal aggregate.

Sixteen teams will tussle it out at the tournament slated for October 16^th to November 3^rd.

Hosts Dominican Republic have been joined in Group A alongside Ecuador, New Zealand and Nigeria, while reigning world champions Spain have been placed in Group B with USA, Korea Republic and Colombia.

Tanzania played at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 which was played in India

Group A: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, Nigeria

Group B: Spain, USA, Korea Republic, Colombia

Group C: Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, England

Group D: Japan, Poland, Brazil, Zambia

Kenya have qualified for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup slated to take place in the Dominican Republic.

The Junior Starlets defeated Burundi 2-0 in the return leg of the last phase of the qualifiers on Sunday to qualify on a 5-0 goal aggregate.

Marion Serenge gave the hosts the lead after 17 minutes, before Valerie Nekesa made it 2-0 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi. After recess the Burundi team camp all out to try and find some goals, but failed to break the Junior Starlets’ defending line.

Elizabeth Ochaka, the Kenyan captain said it was a dream come true to qualify for the World Cup. “We have worked so hard a team and we thank all the stakeholders for the support,” added Ochaka.

To reach the final stage of the qualifiers, Kenya earned a walkover DR Congo in the second round, and ejected Ethiopia 3-0 on aggregate in the third round.

Kenya secured the last slot after Nigeria and Zambia had qualified few days ago.

Nigeria were the first African team to secure a place at the women’s youth competition after defeating Liberia 6-1 on aggregate.

After their 3-1 win in the first leg Zambia held Morocco to a goalless draw on Saturday night to book their place.

The 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup that will attract 16 teams will take place in the Dominican Republic between October 16 to November 3rd, 2024.

Tanzania played at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup held in India.

The Serengeti Girls of Tanzania on Saturday suffered a 3-0 defeat to Colombia in one of the quarter final matches at the on-going FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.

Tanzania started the match pressing deep, but failed to get the break at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margoa.

Skipper Linda Caicedo, Yesica Munoz and Gabriela Rodriguez scored to give Colombia a 3-0 first half lead. The Serengeti Girls later had Zainabu Ally and captain Noela Luhala sent-off.

Bakari Shime, the Tanzania head coach said that although they had started well, the red cards made the game very hard. “It has been a good World Cup for us to reach the quarter final stage on our first appearance,” said Shime.

The Serengeti Girls started with a 4-0 defeat to Japan, and went on to defeat France 2-1. They battled to a 1-1 draw against Canada in the last group match.

Colombia will now face another African side Nigeria in the semi final, while Spain will face Germany in the second semi final clash.