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The much anticipated FIFA under-17 women’s World Cup is set
to kick off on Wednesday in the Dominican Republic.
The three-week tournament which is set to run from October 16,
2024, to November 3, 2024, has drawn teams from 16 different countries Kenya included.
Kenya’s Junior Starlets are set to make their debut in this
year’s eighth edition of the under-17 World Cup; one amongst four other
nations.
Kenyan head coach
Mildred Cheche believes this is a motivation for the young promising team to
leave their mark on the global stage.
Fresh from a 14-day training camp in Alicante South-Eastern Spain, the Junior Starlets are in high spirits promising to take the world stage by storm.
The Junior Starlets, untested at the global stage have a
mountain to climb after being pitted against a tough ‘Group C’ that has two-time champions North
Korea, 2018 finalists Mexico and 2016 quarter-finalists England.
Feted as underdogs, the Junior Starlets will have the
opportunity to prove themselves at their maiden World Cup match on Friday as
they take on England at the Estadio Cibao FC, 2am Kenyan time. England’s
under-17 team which boasts of featuring eight players from the English Women’s
Super League top club Arsenal will be a hard nut to crack.
Kenya will play North Korea on Sunday before grappling with
Mexico on October 24 for their final group-stage match.
The Junior Starlets made history in June by becoming the first team in the country, male or female to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
Representing the African continent on the world stage is Nigeria, making their eighth appearance and Zambia gracing the event for the second time.
Amongst the fixtures slotted for today are Spain Vs USA and
Nigeria Vs New Zealand with both matches kicking off simultaneously at 11pm
Kenyan time.