The Kenya Junior Starlets have made a losing start falling to England in their opening Group C match at the on-going FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 in Dominican Republic

Coach Mildred Cheche’s team that was making their debut to the big stage started well at the CFC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballetros on Friday, but failed to find the punch at the England goal. Kenya conceded a penalty after 29 minutes through Lola Sangita Brown and a late goal after 87 minute through Lauryn Ida Belle Thompson.

The duo of Marion Serenge and Valerie Nekesa kept the England defending line busy, but failed to find the break through to score.

“Although we lost our opening match, I am happy that the team gave their best but made a few mistakes especially defensively. We must now prepare for the next match against Korea DPR,” said coach Cheche.

Korea DPR who humbled Mexico 4-1 in the opening match are now top of Group C, while Kenya are in third place. The Kenya Junior Starlets will conclude their group stage matches against Mexico on the October 24^th, 2024.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, while the bottom two will exit the tournament. This will be the last U17 World Cup with 16 teams, as the tournament will expand to 24 teams from the 2025 edition.

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