Junior Starlets, the first Kenyan national team to qualify for a World Cup is set to leave the country tomorrow.
President William Ruto flagged-off the team at State House today evening.
The team will fly out to Spain for their pre-World Cup camp where they will participate in friendly matches before heading to the Dominican Republic next to compete in the Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup.
Ruto hailed the team as the first in six decades to achieve such fete.
“Even before you leave, you have made history. We will support you. Come back with victory” he said.
Adding that in future, school games in primary and secondary schools will form ecosystem of our sports.
The team qualified after a 5-0 aggregate victory over Burundi in the fourth and final rounds.
Today the head coach Mildred Cheche named the final squad of 23 players.
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.
Here is the final squad.
Goalkeepers; Velma Auma, Ephy Awuor (Madira Girls), Scovia Awuor.
Defenders; Elizebeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevieve Mithel, Christine Adhiambo, Kimberly Akinyi, Diana Anyango.
Midfielders; Velma Awuor, Brenda Awuor , Halima Imbachi, Rebecca Odato, Susan Akoth, Lindi Weey Atieno, Nancy Anyango (Nyakach Girls), Pearl Olesi, Lorna Faith
Forwards; Valerie Nekesa, Joan Ogola, Marion Serenge, Quinter Adhiambo, Jane Kweyu, Joy Angela Valencia.
