Aasai

Coach Mildred Cheche has named a 51-player provisional squad for the Kenya U17 women’s national football team, the Junior Starlets, ahead of their crucial 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Uganda in March.

The squad includes several key players from the 2024 World Cup campaign, such as goalkeepers Velma Abwire and Scovia Awuor, defenders Lorine Ilavonga and Jenevive Mithel, midfielders Lindey Weey, Halima Imbach, and Brenda Awuor, as well as forwards Joy Valencia, Joan Ogola, and Quinter Adhiambo.

However, Coach Cheche faces a rebuilding challenge, as Lorna Faith, Marion Serenge, and Diana Anyango—who were instrumental in the last campaign—have since graduated to the U20 national team. This leaves an opportunity for new, young talent to step up and fill the gaps.

Coach Cheche Confident Despite Squad Transition

Speaking about the upcoming challenge, Coach Cheche expressed confidence in her team’s ability to compete:

“The squad that qualified for the last U17 World Cup has largely moved on, with players like Lorna Faith, Marion Serenge, and Diana Anyango now part of the U20 team. This makes the challenge even tougher, but it’s achievable. Uganda is a strong side, already match-fit from playing in the first round, and if we get past them, an even bigger test awaits us against Cameroon. To prepare, we will play a couple of friendlies against local sides. Our goal remains clear – to qualify for the U17 World Cup, and we will give our all to make it happen.”

Preparation & Road to Qualification

The Junior Starlets will begin their training camp this week, with friendly matches scheduled to sharpen the squad ahead of the Uganda tie.

Uganda enters the clash with a match fitness advantage, having played in the first round of qualifiers. However, Kenya’s young players have shown resilience in the past and will be aiming to overcome Uganda and set up a decisive clash against Cameroon for a spot at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

Match Schedule

The qualifier will be a two-legged tie, with the first match set to be played between March 7 and 9, 2025, and the return leg scheduled between March 14 and 16, 2025.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

• Velma Auma Abwire (Ulinzi Starlets)
• Scovia Awuor (Kobala Secondary)
• Mitchelle Achieng (Madira Girls)
• Ann Wavinya Abednego (Ibubi Girls)
• Vallary Achieng (Nyakach Girls)
• Malia Rose Nyabera Otondi (Pelham Memorial – New York, USA)

Defenders

• Lorine Ilavonga (Ulinzi Starlets)
• Jenevieve Mithel (Nyakach Girls)
• Patience Asiko (Butere Girls)
• Sharline Munasia (Madira Girls)
• Kelsey Aoko (Mwitoti Secondary)
• Steller Kasichana (Kombani Secondary)
• Naomi Kwamboka (Saye School)
• Grace Mumo (Madira Girls)
• Rose Nangila Wanyonyi (Wiyeta Girls)
• Dorcas Glender (Butere Girls)
• Julliet Akinyi (Nyakach Girls)
• Berine Ikanya (Butere Girls)
• Fancy Cheptoo (Trinity Mission)
• Rehema Omulubi (Trinity Mission)
• Jecinta Ndunge (Mbihi Girls High School)

Midfielders

• Halima Imbachi (Butere Girls)
• Lindy Weey Atieno (Sunflower Academy)
• Brenda Awuor (Madira Girls)
• Brigit Maria (Wiyeta Girls)
• Merceline Adhiambo (Madira Girls)
• Monica Nelima (Saye School)
• Pamela Adhiambo (Kombani Secondary)
• Serah Wanjiru (Menengai High School)
• Gaudancia Maloba (Lwak Girls)
• Fleviah Khatenje (St. Joseph Girls)
• Tabitha Wambui (Kahawa Primary)
• Mwanakombo Nlela Bakari (Mwaroni JSS Ukunda)
• Linah Martha (Arch Bishop Njenga)
• Princencia Atieno (Saye School)

Forwards

• Sarah Awino (Mwitoti Secondary)
• Brenda Achieng (Ugunja Township)
• Mitchelle Waithera (Talanta)
• Ruth Nanjala (St. Joseph Girls)
• Anifa Bakari (Mwira Secondary)
• Linet Auma (Wiyeta Girls)
• Khadija Furaha Ali (Kobala School)
• Beffine Shaley (Kobala School)
• Joan Ogola (Mwira Primary)
• Judith Nandwa (Unattached)
• Quinter Adhiambo Mwendi (Saye School)
• Jane Kweyu (Mwitoti Secondary)
• Joy Angela Valencia (Butere Girls)
• Faith Boke (Lwak Girls)
• Joan Agola (Nyakach Girls)
• Ruth Akinyi (Starehe Girls High)

With a blend of experienced players and fresh talents, Coach Cheche and her team are determined to overcome Uganda and advance to the next stage in their World Cup qualification journey.