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.

The Serengeti Girls of Tanzania have made history by qualifying for the quarter final stage at the on-going FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.

Making their debut in the world competition, the Serengeti Girls started their Group D campaign with a 4-0 defeat to Japan before stopping France 2-1 and holding Canada 1-1 today.

Amanda Marie Allen gave Canada the lead from the spot after 14 minutes at the DY Patil Stadium stadium, Mumbai City. But the Serengeti Girls did not give up and continued attacking.

Veronica Gabriel Mapunda leveled matters for Tanzania after 35 minutes. The two teams failed to find more goals in the second half as Tanzania qualified for the knock out stage as the second placed team in Group A with 4 points, while Japan who stopped France 2-0 to win their third straight match topped with nine points.

Bakari Shime, the Serengeti Girls head coach said he was proud of his players who have made history. “We are underdogs in the competition and making it to the knock out stage means a lot,” added Shimes.

Wallace Karia, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President who is also President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) praised the Serengeti Girls for the hard work. “It is through hard work and determination that you have made it to the next stage,” said Karia while speaking to the team in India.

While another Africans team Morocco bowed out at the group stage, Nigeria also qualified for the quarters after coming out second in Group B.

Tanzania will now face Colombia in a quarter final tie on October 22^nd, while Japan battle Spain the same day. Nigeria will line-up against USA and Germany face Brazil in the other quarter final matches to be played on October 21^st.