Junior Starlets urge government to honour year-old World Cup promise
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 15.08.25. | 07:35
On June 16, 2024, the Junior Starlets made history by becoming the first Kenyan football team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup
Kenya’s U-17 girls’ team, the Junior Starlets, the first national side to represent the country in a FIFA World Cup, have appealed to the government to move swiftly and honour the cash incentives promised to them after their historic outing.
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Speaking anonymously to Mozzart Sport, a source revealed that despite a memorable performance at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, the promised rewards are yet to be delivered more than a year later.
“When we returned with the under-17 team, we were promised some money and told to wait for it to be wired,” said the source.
“We are still waiting. We have asked several times, but the response has always been to wait again.
We are patient, but we request the authorities to at least see what they can do for the team. It’s not a demand, just a request to honour the promise.”
The players and technical bench had been assured of financial incentives following their participation, which marked Kenya’s debut at any FIFA World Cup tournament, male or female.
On June 16, 2024, the Junior Starlets made history by becoming the first Kenyan football team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
Drawn in Group C alongside England, Korea DPR and Mexico, Kenya lost 3-0 to Korea DPR, suffered a 2-0 defeat to England, but bowed out on a high with a narrow 2-1 victory over Mexico.
Though their campaign ended at the group stage, the players gained invaluable lessons in football management, tactics, and financial discipline.
The experience also proved a stepping stone for standout talents like Elizabeth Ochaka and Christine Adhiambo, who have since been promoted to the senior Harambee Starlets squad by head coach Beldine Odemba.
The Junior Starlets’ achievement altered perceptions across the country, inspiring wider support for women’s football and encouraging more girls to take up the sport.
Their qualification also served as a wake-up call to the Ministry of Sports, highlighting the need to bridge the quality gap with global football powerhouses such as England and North Korea.
Riding on their 2024 experience, Kenya entered the qualifiers for the 2025 African U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco as one of the favourites.
Alongside Nigeria and Zambia, they received a bye in the first round.
In the second round, Kenya defeated Uganda 2-0 away at Hamz Stadium in Kampala and sealed the tie with a 3-0 home win, progressing 5-0 on aggregate.
However, their run ended in the third round against Cameroon.
The Junior Starlets fell 1-0 at Nyayo Stadium before losing 3-1 in Yaoundé, bowing out with a 4-1 aggregate defeat.
Cameroon joined Morocco, Nigeria, Zambia, and Guinea as Africa’s representatives at the tournament.
The Junior Starlets’ journey remains one of the brightest chapters in Kenyan football history, but for the players, a symbolic gesture from the government in the form of the long-promised incentives would close that chapter on a note of pride and fulfilment.
