The Kenya U17 Girls’ National Team, Junior Starlets, head coach, Mildred Cheche, has named the final squad for the upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.The 23-player squad is set to depart for Spain on Thursday morning for their pre-World Cup training camp. During their time in Spain, the Junior Starlets will participate in friendly matches designed to sharpen their skills and tactics ahead of their debut on the global stage.##NAJAVA_MECA_8342689##The 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will take place from October 16 to November 3, 2024. The Junior Starlets will kick off their group stage matches on October 18 against England. They will face Korea DPR on October 20 and complete their group fixtures on October 24 against Mexico.When they take to the pitch on October 18, the Junior Starlets will make history by becoming the first Kenyan team to participate in a football World Cup at any level.Coach Cheche’s squad includes 12 players who were not part of the qualifiers, with several selected from school competitions.Ahead of the team’s departure on Thursday, the tactician expressed confidence, noting significant improvements.“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,” she stated.Swedish-based Stanley Wilson headlines Kenya’s provisional squad for AFCON U-20 CECAFA QualifiersShe added that the training camp in Spain will further prepare the team for the challenging matches ahead in the Dominican Republic. “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 said. “I see being underdogs as an advantage because no one knows how we play. However, we will be ready for the challenge.”Final SquadGoalkeepers:Velma Auma, Ephy Awuor, Scovia AwuorDefenders: Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevieve Mithel, Christine Adhiambo, Kimberly Akinyi, Diana AnyangoMidfielders: Velma Awuor, Brenda Awuor, Halima Imbachi, Rebecca Odato, Susan Akoth, Lindi Weey Atieno, Pearl Olesi, Lorna FaithForwards: Valerie Nekesa, Joan Ogola, Marion Serenge, Quinter Adhiambo, Jane Kweyu, Joy Angela ValenciaAFC Leopards taskforce to visit Simba, Yanga as Mudavadi contributes two million to kitty
