Familiar faces return as Cheche names final squad for U17 World Cup Qualifiers

Kenya women's U17 head coach Mildred Cheche has gone with a chunk of familiar names in her final 23-player squad to set to face Namibia in the first-round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

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Cheche, who successfully led the Starlets to their first World Cup appearance in 2024, on Saturday, 4 April included players from the past iterations, retaining a core she believes will help the side navigate a different experience this time.

Among those retained from earlier U-17 squads include: Lindey Weey, Brenda Awuor, Mwanakombo Bakari, Grace Mumo, Faith Boke, Brenda Achieng and Fleviah Khatenje.

Bevarline Awuor, also earns a place after recently featuring in the the U-20 squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia, and will serve as skipper, to be deputized by Awuor.

Their experience at this level is expected to provide stability and leadership within the squad, which Cheche in a past interview expressed some concerns due to its newness.

Among the new players in the final squad for example, are: Tabitha Wambui, who returns to the national team set-up after progressing from the U-15 ranks.

The 16-year-old, who features for Madira Soccer Assassins in the Kenya Women’s Premier League (KWPL), also represented Kenya in the 2023 CAF Schools Football Championship (CECAFA).

“Key factors for selection were heavily based on the technical and tactical ability," Cheche said. "This is a more aggressive team because of the players we've recruited, so most of them are hungry to perform and win the match.”

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The Junior Starlets head into the fixture with a clear objective: secure a positive result and lay a strong foundation for the rest of the campaign. The team has intensified preparations through training sessions and friendly matches against leading FKF Women’s Premier League sides, with the focus now shifting to the twin fixtures against Namibia.

Kenya plays away in the first leg tie slated for Sunday, 12 April, before hosting the second leg on Saturday, 18 April at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.

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Fixtures

Namibia vs Kenya | April 12 | Windhoek Unam Stadium

Kenya vs Namibia | April 18 | Ulinzi Sports Complex

Final Squad

Goalkeepers

Mitshel Ng’ono, Martha Wekhomba, Vallary Achieng

Defenders

Pauline Namisi, Sheila Atieno, Faith Boke, Idah Matara, Grace Mumo, Rose Nangila, Brenda Awuor

Midfielders

Bevarline Awuor, Gaudancia Maloba, Mwanakombo Bakari, Lindey Weey Atieno, Beryl Awuor, Fleviah Khatenje, Noela Akuku

Forwards

Brenda Achieng, Patience Waithera, Emilly Adhiambo, Elizabeth Alizeba, Ivy Atieno, Tabitha Wambui.