FKF CEO Barry Otieno has asked journalists, coaches and other stakeholders to keep off Junior Starlets and allow head coach Mildred Cheche to steer the ship.
Starlets are preparing for next month’s Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
A leaked ‘final squad’ on September 15, two days before Cheche named her travelling party to a pre-tournament training camp in Spain, led to uproar on social media with some accusing Cheche of ‘dropping important players’.
Twelve players were dropped when Cheche named her final team with Claire Waithera, Mitshelle Waithera and Sheryl Amuok — who played in the qualifiers — the biggest casualties.
While Amuok missed out due to a knee injury sustained during the East Africa School Games while representing Nyakach Girls in Uganda last month, Cheche explained that the rest didn’t feature in her plans due to fitness and tactical reasons.
Only striker Joy Angela Valencia, scouted during the secondary school games, is the new entrant.
“A player becomes a Kenyan international when in the coach’s squad and plans. Scouting is a long process and due to tactical reasons, fringe players and bench-warmers are always dropped, worldwide,” said Barry.
Some parents cried foul, claiming their daughters’ slots ‘were sold’. However, Otieno refutes the claims adding that the team will still be whittled down to 21, as per Fifa regulations.
“We’re talking to Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen to accommodate the two who will be dropped. This depends entirely on the availability of cash,” he added.
He confirmed Junior Starlets will play three friendly matches in Spain with Portugal the highlight opponents on September 27, in Alicante, Spain, just before departure for the Caribbean island on October 1.
The World Cup is set for between October 16 and November 3.
Speaking from Spain, Cheche they have acclimatised in Spain and are now working on psychological, technical and physical aspects of the game while enjoying world-class facilities.
Cheche, who won the President’s Award during the FKF gala on July 26 after guiding Starlets to first World Cup, targets the semi-final in their debut tournament.
Kenya, will open their campaign against England on October 18, battle North Korea on October 20 and conclude their Group ‘C’ fixtures against Mexico on October 24.
This year’s tournament marks the end of the 16-team system with a 24-team set to feature at the next edition in Morocco — a first for Africa.
Champions Spain target a third-consecutive title after 2018 and 2022.
