Kenya's U17 girls kick off World Cup journey against England

Kenya's U17 girls' football team is set to make history early on Friday, 18th October, as they step onto the global stage for the first time. At 2 AM, they'll kick off their campaign against England in a Group C clash of the FIFA U17 World Cup, hosted at the renowned Santiago de los Caballeros Stadium. This match marks a significant milestone in the nation's football journey.

Under the guidance of Coach Mildred Cheche, the team earned their World Cup spot in June with a dominant 5-0 aggregate win over Burundi during the third and final qualification round. The decisive match at the Ulinzi Sports Complex saw the Kenyan fans erupt in celebration as Valarie Nekesa and Marion Serenge scored to seal the victory.

The squad has been in the Dominican Republic for nearly two weeks, gearing up for the tournament. Their preparations began in Kenya in August, followed by a training camp in Spain where they played three friendly matches. They wrapped up their preparations with a 3-1 win over the Dominican Republic in a friendly, remaining unbeaten in all their pre-tournament fixtures.

Kenya is grouped with England, Mexico, and Korea DPR—one of the tournament's favorites. After their opener against England, they will face Korea DPR on 20th October and wrap up the group stage against Mexico on the 24th. The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarterfinals, while the rest will exit the competition. Notably, this will be the last U17 World Cup with 16 teams, as it will expand to 24 teams starting in 2025. Players born between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009, are eligible for this edition.

It's MATCHDAY💪

Our 1⃣ st FIFA U17 World Cup match will be against England.

Catch the match LIVE 📺 on FIFA + ⤵️https://t.co/TuptojD92R#GoJuniorStarlets #JuniorStarlets pic.twitter.com/vFCDFTSw1x

— Harambee Starlets (@StarletsKE) October 17, 2024

Coach Cheche expressed her optimism, saying her players are ready and in high spirits. “The mood in camp is great, and the players are excited for the challenge ahead. They’ve adapted well to the hotter climate here, and they’re focused on the task at hand,” she shared.

She highlighted the benefits of their training stint in Spain, saying, “The friendlies were crucial for us, especially playing against European clubs and Portugal. It gave us a clear perspective on our strengths and what to work on.”

Cheche sees the World Cup as a unique opportunity for her squad. “Being here for the first time is incredibly motivating. Competing against strong nations is a challenge, but it's also an honor to represent Kenya on such a big stage,” she added.

Kenya U17 World Cup Squad

• Goalkeepers: Velma Auma, Ephy Awuor, Scovia Awuor
• Defenders: Elizabeth 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, Pearl Olesi, Lorna Faith
• Forwards: Valerie Nekesa, Joan Ogola, Marion Serenge, Quinter Adhiambo, Jane Kweyu, Joy Angela Valencia

Match Officials for Kenya vs England

• Centre Referee: Alejandra Quisbert Iriondo (Bolivia)
• Assistant Referees: Gabriel Moreno (Peru), Vera Yupanqui (Peru)
• Reserve Referee: Vimarest Diaz (Venezuela)

How to Watch: Fans can catch all of Kenya's World Cup matches and more via free streaming on the FIFA+ app, available for download on the Playstore.