Junior Starlets provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers named

Junior Starlets, the Kenya Women's U17 football national team players, pose for a group photo before taking on England in Dominican Republic (C) FIFA Media

By Erick Kariuki
Monday, February 10, 2025

Kenya's Junior Starlets have named a 51-player provisional squad for their U17 Women's World Cup qualifier against Uganda. Head coach Mildred Cheche will lead a mix of returning players and fresh talent as the team looks to overcome Uganda and set up a decisive clash with Cameroon.

Junior Starlets Announce Provisional Squad for U17 Women's World Cup Qualifiers Against Uganda

A 51-player provisional squad for the Junior Starlets, set to face Uganda in the Women's World Cup Qualifiers, has been announced by head coach Mildred Cheche.

The squad features several players from the 2024 World Cup campaign, 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, among others.

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“The squad includes several players from the 2024 World Cup campaign, such as 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, among others,” read the official statement.

Despite the squad's impressive talent, Coach Mildred Cheche faces the challenge of rebuilding the team following the departure of several key players from the last World Cup campaign.

“The squad that qualified for the last U17 World Cup has largely moved on, with players like Lorna Faith, Marion Serenge, and Diana Anyango now part of the U20 team. 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 U17 World Cup, and we will give our all to make it happen,” said Coach Cheche.

The first leg will take place between 7 and 9 March 2025, with the return leg scheduled between 14 and 16 March 2025. Uganda enters the tournament with an advantage, having already played their first-round qualifiers. However, Kenya’s young talents are known for rising to the occasion and will be aiming to overcome Uganda to set up a decisive clash against Cameroon for a spot in the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“The Junior Starlets will begin their training camp this week, with friendly matches lined up to ensure the team is well-prepared for the Uganda test. Uganda, having already played in the first round of the qualifiers, will come into the match with an advantage in terms of match fitness. However, Kenya’s young talents have a history of rising to the occasion, and with proper preparation, they will be aiming to advance past Uganda and set up a decisive clash against Cameroon for a ticket to the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” as seen in the release.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers