The year 2024 marked one of the best 12 months for women’s national teams, with the Kenya U17 women’s participation in the U17 FIFA World Cup undoubtedly being the highlight.The Junior Starlets made history by becoming the first Kenyan football side to feature at a FIFA World Cup in the country’s 61 years of independence.Despite the massive milestone, women’s national teams witnessed limited action this year with the senior side, Harambee Stars involved in only five assignments.Harambee Starlets set to face Tunisia in WAFCON 2026 QualifiersKenya Under 20 failed to take to the pitch this year after bowing out of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers following a 6-2 aggregate defeat to Cameroon in 2023.Kenya U17Junior Starlets had a memorable year after qualifying for the U17 FIFA World Cup in the Dominican Republic, a feat that underscored the tremendous growth women’s football has witnessed in the country.Their qualification to the tournament was sealed after an unforgettable 2-0 win over Burundi at a packed-to-the-rafters Ulinzi Sports Complex following a 3-0 first-leg win.##NAJAVA_MECA_8598288##Following their qualification, the girls were handsomely rewarded with a token of Ksh10 million from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports.However, the preparations for the World Cup were not without any hitches, as the girls had to seek parliament’s intervention to postpone their final high school exams.Another setback was the dropping of players, who had sacrificed their study time to feature in the qualifiers and also be part of the camp, which is a normal phenomenon in squad selection.Spanish, Serbian and US clubs line up for Kenya U17 forward after FIFA World Cup tourneyThe team under the guidance of Mildred Cheche pitched camp in Spain to intensify their preparations for the World Cup.Junior Starlets kicked off their Spanish camp with a 4-1 thumping of Valencia Women CF with a similar scoreline recorded against Intercity FC.The team went into the World Cup with an unbeaten record following victories over Portugal and the hosts Dominican Republic.##NAJAVA_MECA_8598387##They, however, found the tough going in their opening clash as they suffered a 2-0 loss to 2008 semi-finalists England.Against the record tournament champions, the Junior Starlets suffered an exit after a humbling 3-0 defeat to North Korea who went on to clinch a record-extending third title.Cheche’s side finished the tournament on a strong note after beating Mexico 2-1 to etch their name into history by recording their maiden win in the World Cup.England coach and two players laud Kenya U17’s performance at FIFA World CupThe girls were treated to a hero’s welcome after jetting back to the country with the tournament set to have a lasting impact on women’s football in the country.Harambee Starlets Beldine Odemba’s charges started their 2024 action belatedly in the Pink Ladies Tournament back in October in Antalya, Türkiye.An under-strength Harambee Starlets were off to the wrong footing in the tournament after suffering a 1-0 loss at the hands of Chinese Taipei.##NAJAVA_MECA_8598396##The loss was swiftly followed by a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Russia but bounced back with a convincing 4-1 thumping of the Philippines.Starlets brought down the curtains to their year with back-to-back matches over Morocco, opening their two-legged clash with a 2-2 draw.In their final friendly, Starlets showed no mercy as they thumped the hosts 5-0 courtesy of a brace from Mwanalima Adam who netted four goals in the 7-2 aggregate win.Beşiktaş announce signing of Kenya international2025 promises to be another thrilling year for women’s football with Harambee Starlets kickstarting their 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations against Tunisia in February.
