The Kenya U17 Girls’ National Team, Junior Starlets, the final squad set to participate in the FIFA U17 Dominican Republic Women’s World Cup has been named.
Missing from head coach Mildred Cheche’s final list of 12 players who helped them qualify for the Santa Domingo tournament include Claire Meris, who is a candidate at Kobala Secondary School, Sheryl Amuok and Mitshelle Waithera.
According to Cheche, they had to sacrifice some of their players to ensure a balance of fitness, form, and tactical alignment ahead of the tough challenges in South America.
Amuok misses out with a knee injury sustained during the East Africa School Games while representing Nyakach Girls in Uganda.
The girls were hosted at the State House by President William Ruto, who handed over the flag to Captain Elizabeth Ochaka.
The final squad of 23 players is set to jet out to Spain on Thursday morning for their pre-World Cup training camp.
Arch Bishop Njenga Girls midfielder Marion Serenge, who’s sister to Kakamega Homeboyz midfielder Kevin Amwai, is among the KCSE candidates who made the squad.
The 2024 KCSE examination main papers are scheduled to begin on November 4 and end on November 22, 2024, and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) agreed to the request to offer the 2024 candidates who are part of the team special exams after the tournament.
Other candidates are Lorine Ilavonga Wiyeta Girls, Christine Adhiambo Nyakach Secondary, Velma Awuor Nyakach Girls, Rebecca Odato Dagoretti Mixed, Marion Serenge, and Quinter Adhiambo St Alfreda Alara Mixed
FKF CEO Barry Otieno confirmed the federation has planned at least two friendly matches in Spain against fellow competitors, before leaving for the Dominican Republic on October 1.
“The Dominican Republic is six hours ahead of Kenya, and arriving there early will ensure they adapt to the different time zones and acclimatise to the environment before kickoff,” Otieno said.
