Junior Starlets coach Mildred Cheche settles on familiar names as third round tie beckons

Kenya girl's U17 head coach Mildred Cheche has named the provisional squad ahead of the third round of the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for next month.

Junior Starlets in the current window will play Ethiopia in two legs: hosting the first leg on 10 May before traveling away for the return fixture on 19 May 2024.

Kenya qualified to the third round in February after their second-round opponents DR Congo pulled out of the competition while Ethiopia got the better of South Africa in two legs.

The winner of this tie - on aggregate after both legs - will qualify for the fourth and final round of qualification, where they will face either Djibouti or Burundi.

Following that round, the winner will become one of the three nations representing Africa for the October 2024 tournament scheduled to be held in the Dominican Republic.

Junior Starlets advance to third round after DR Congo withdrawal

Most of the players called up by Cheche, who will lead group training for the second time following her appointment in January, were also present in the last group, with only a few names included.

Among the new faces include: goalkeeper Mitchelle Achieng of Brenda Girls’ coming on to replace Esther Akumu of Kibaoni Secondary, Sylvia Mukai (Wiyeta Secondary School), Susan Akoth (Gor Mahia Queens), and Quinter Adhiambo (St. Alfreda Alara Mixed).

Key names Valerie Nekesa and Lindi Weey Atieno, involved in Kenya’s Pan African School Games last December, have retained their places in the 31-woman squad.

All players, as per the Football Kenya Federation, enter camp on Saturday 27 April.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Ephy Awuor (Madira Girls), Scovia Awuor (Kobala Sec.), Velma Auma (Wiyeta Secondary School), Mitchelle Achieng (Brenda Girls)

Defenders

Elizebeth Ochaka (Shiraha Starlets), Claire Meris (Kobala Sec. Sch),Lorine Ilavonga (Wiyeta Sec. Sch.), Brenda Nechesa (Butere Girls Sec. Sch), Jenevieve Mitchel (Nyakach Sec.) Christine Adhiambo (Nyakach Sec.), Judith Nandwa (Butere Girls), Kimberly Akinyi (Madira Girls), Dorcas Glender (Butere Girls Sec.), Hilder Natecho (Archbishop Njenga Secondary), Rose Nangila (Wiyeta Sec. Sch.).

Midfielders

Velma Awuor (Nyakach Girls Secondary), Brenda Awuor (Madira Girls), Halima Imbachi (Butere Girls Secondary), Rebecca Odato (Dagoretti Mixed), Susan Akoth (Gor Mahia Queens), Lornah Faith (Butere Girls), Lindi Weey Atieno (Sunflower Junior High School)

Forwards

Valerie Nekesa (Madira Girls), Joy Angela Valencia (Butere Girls), Marion Serenge (Arch Bishop Njenga), Quinter Adhiambo (St. Alfreda Alara Mixed), Sylvia Mukai (Wiyeta Secondary School), Diana Anyango (Butere Girls), Patience Kasichana (Uweza Women), Peruce Elizabeth (Magunga Girls)

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