Cheche names Junior Starlets provisional squad for FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has called 35 players in preparation for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled in the Dominican Republic from 16 October to 3 November this year.

Starlets, who will be making their first appearance in the tournament, are placed in Pool C of the global showpiece alongside heavyweights and regulars.

The team will begin its World Cup campaign against, the 2016 losing finalists, England on 18 October.

Two days later, they will face, two-time champions, Korea DPR, before concluding their group stage fixtures on October 24th with a game against Mexico.

The players are expected to report to camp on Saturday, 24 August, where they will train for 17 days.

After the initial camp, the team will travel to Spain on 10 September for an extended training period, until they depart for the Dominican Republic on 4 October.

Starlets punched the ticket to the World Cup in June after outclassing Burundi 5-0 on aggregate in the fourth and final round of the qualification.

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Consequently, they became the first Kenyan football team to qualify for the highest football tournament in the world.

Before facing Burundi, the Kenyan girls had eliminated Ethiopia 3-0 on aggregate in the third round with all goals being, scored in the return match at the Ulinzi Sports Complex having settled for a barren draw in the first leg in Addis Ababa.

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Earlier on, there were fears that some of the players might skip the tournament, as it will be played at a time when the Kenya Secondary School Education (KCSE), exams will be on, but plans to have special tests for the affected players are in place.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Velma Auma (Wiyeta Secondary Sch.), Ephy Awuor (Madira Girls), Scovia Awuor (Kobala Sec.), Elizabeth Munyanya (Kilimo Girls High Sch.)

Defenders

Elizebeth Ochaka (Kenya Police Bullets), Claire Meris (Kobala Sec. Sch),Lorine Ilavonga (Wiyeta Sec. Sch.), Valerie Wanjiru Oyugi (Ligi Ndogo), Jenevieve Mithel (Nyakach Sec.), Christine Adhiambo (Nyakach Sec.), Elizabeth Anyango (Beijing Raiders), Kimberly Akinyi (Madira Girls), Sheryl Amuok (Nyakach Girls), Diana Anyango (Butere Girls)

Midfielders

Velma Awuor (Nyakach Girls Secondary), Brenda Awuor (Madira Girls), Halima Imbachi (Butere Girls Secondary), Rebecca Odato (Dagoretti Mixed), Susan Akoth (Acakoro Ladies), Lindi Weey Atieno (Sunflower Junior High School), Nancy Anyango (Nyakach Girls), Pearl Olesi (St. Joseph’s Kitale).

Forwards

Abiagel Nelima (St. Joseph’s Gilrs Kitale), Lorna Faith (Butere Girls), Lilian Mueni (St.Bridgit Syomunyu Girls), Salma Baya (Kombani Sec. Sch), Valerie Nekesa (Madira Girls), Joan Ogola (St. Maurice Mwira Junior High), Mitshelle Waithera (Acakoro Ladies), Marion Serenge (Archbishop Njenga Secondary), Quinter Adhiambo (St. Alfred Alara Mixed), Jane Kweyu (St. Martha’s Mwitoti Sec. Sch), Patience Asiko (Butere Girls High Sch.), Ruth Nanjala (St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale), Lucy Naliaka (Kinale Girls High Sch.)