Kenya Junior Starlets picked a 3-1 morale boosting win against hosts Dominican Republic on Tuesday evening ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024.

The hosts took the lead after 19 minutes, but Kenya leveled matters through Valarie Nekesa six minutes later at the Central Española Stadium in Santo Domingo.

Before the break Marion Serenge scored Kenya’s second goal after 31 minutes, while Lindey Atieno made it 3-1 nine minutes to full time.

Coach Mildred Cheche praised her team for the win despite going a goal down. “We have now played four friendly matches and these have helped us a lot to prepare better ahead of the World Cup,” said Cheche.

Before traveling to the Dominican Republic, the Kenya Junior Starlets had played three matches in Spain. They beat Ciudad Deportiva 4-1, drew 1-1 against Portugal U-17 Women’s team, and humbled Intercity Fememino 4-1.

Kenya who will be making their debut in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will start their Group C campaign against England on October 18th, and later take on Korea DPR two days later. They will take on Mexico in their last Group C match on October 24th.

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.

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

The Kenya Junior Starlets on Wednesday arrived in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic head of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024.

Fresh from a successful training camp in Spain, coach Mildred Cheche’s team is rearing to go as they prepare to make their entry into the big stage. The Junior Starlets will make history by becoming the first Kenyan team to participate in a football World Cup at any level.

In Spain, the Kenya Junior Starlets defeated Ciudad Deportiva 4-1, settled for a 1-1 draw against Portugal and humbled Intercity Fememino 4-1 in International friendly matches.

The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup 2024 from October 16 to November 3rd, 2024.

Kenya will start their Group C campaign against England on October 18^th, and later take on Korea DPR two days later. Cheche’s team will battle Mexico in their last Group C match on October 24^th. “The team prepared well in Spain and we want to use the remaining few days to continue preparing ahed of our opening match,” says head coach Cheche.

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.

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

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