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Coach Cheche faces uphill task of rebuilding Under-17 squad
Junior Starlets players during a past training session at Moi International Sports, Centre, Kasarani.
What you need to know:
- The Junior Starlets will begin their training camp this week, with friendly matches lined up to sharpen the squad ahead of the Uganda test.
- Uganda advanced to the second round of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in dominant fashion, thrashing Namibia 10-1 and 8-1 in the first round held in January.
Kenya Under-17 women’s football team coach Mildred Cheche is racing against time to rebuild her squad ahead of their crucial two-legged 2025 Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Uganda in March.
The Junior Starlets made history last October as the first Kenyan national football team to compete on the global stage after qualifying for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic. They finished third in Group ‘C’, securing a memorable 2-1 victory over Mexico in their final match.
However, key players from that squad have since transitioned to the Kenya U-20 team, leaving Cheche with the challenge of finding suitable replacements. On Monday, the CAF B License holder named a 51-player provisional squad for the upcoming qualifiers set for March 7 and 16.
Among the players who have moved up to the U-20 ranks are defenders Diana Anyango and former captain Elizabeth Ochaka, along with midfielders Lorna Faith and Marion Serenge.
Despite the transitions, several players from the Dominican Republic squad remain eligible, including goalkeepers Velma Abwire and Scovia Awuor, defenders Lorine Ilavonga and Jenevive Mithel, midfielders Lindey Weey, Halima Imbachi, and Brenda Awuor, as well as forwards Joy Valencia, Joan Ogola, and Quinter Adhiambo.
“The squad that qualified for the last U-17 World Cup has largely moved on, with players like Lorna Faith, Marion Serenge, and Diana Anyango now part of the U-20 team,” Cheche acknowledged.
“This makes the challenge even tougher, but it’s achievable. Uganda is a strong side, already match-fit from playing in the first round, and if we get past them, an even bigger test awaits us against Cameroon. To prepare, we will play a couple of friendlies against local sides. Our goal remains clear – to qualify for the U-17 World Cup, and we will give our all to make it happen.”
The new call-ups have been selected from primary and secondary schools, as well as local clubs. Notably, goalkeeper Malia Rose Nyabera Otondi, who is based at Pelham Memorial in New York, USA, is the only foreign-based player in the squad.
The Junior Starlets will begin their training camp this week, with friendly matches lined up to sharpen the squad ahead of the Uganda test.
Uganda advanced to the second round of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in dominant fashion, thrashing Namibia 10-1 and 8-1 in the first round held in January.