This afternoon, the Kenya National U17 girls’ team, Junior Starlets, will face Ethiopia in the first leg of their 2024 FIFA U17 World Cup qualifier at the Abebe Bekila Stadium in Ethiopia.Under the stewardship of coach Mildred Cheche, the Starlets aim to secure a first-leg advantage before the return leg on May 19 at the Ulinzi Complex. The aggregate winner of the tie qualifies for the fourth and final round of the qualifiers.##NAJAVA_MECA_8088466##Starlets earned a place in the third round after receiving a bye due to DR Congo’s withdrawal from the qualifiers, making today’s game a debut tie for the newly assembled team.In an earlier interview, coach Cheche expressed confidence in her assembled team.“I think we are prepared because most of our players have been competing at the highest level locally, so hopefully they’ll rise up to the task ahead, so I am hopeful we have a great team that is going to play well,” she said.The aggregate winner of the tie will face the winner of the match between Burundi and Djibouti, with the fourth-round winner heading to the World Cup, to be staged in the Dominican Republic.Meshack Ochieno revels recipe behind his goal-scoring feat at Mathare United“We have trained, and I believe we are ready to play against Ethiopia tomorrow, aiming for a positive result here in Ethiopia,” coach Cheche said after experiencing the match venue on Thursday evening.Some of the star players expected to be key for the Kenyan team include Kenya U20 forward Valerie Nekesa, Butere Girls star midfielder Lorna Faith, who captained the Busia County team to lift the Talanta Hela national title, Dagoretti Mixed midfielder Rebecca Odato, 2023 Best Girls’ Player at the CAF Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers Lindey Weey Atieno, and Archbishop Njenga attacker Marion Serenge, among others.Squad in Ethiopia:Goalkeepers: Ephy Awuor, Scovia Awuor, and Velma AumaDefenders: Elizebeth Ochaka, Claire Meries, Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevieve Mithel, Christine Adhiambo, Judith Nandwa, Kimberly Akinyi, Dorcas Glenda, and Sheryl AtienoMidfielders: Velma Awuor, Brenda Awuor, Halima Imbachi, Rebecca Odato, Susan Akoth, Lorna Faith, and Lindey Weey AtienoForwards: Valerie Nekesa, Marion Serenge, Quinter Adhiambo, and Diana OnyangoDarajani Gogo players subjected to pay cuts
