Kenya U17 girls extend unbeaten run as FIFA World Cup preps intensity
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 08.10.24. | 19:05
Kenya open their campaign with a clash against England on Friday 18 October
Goals from Valerie Nekesa and Marion Serenge in the first half and one more from Lindey Atieno in the last quarter of the clash between Junior Starlets and the Dominican Republic were enough to hand the Kenya a 3-1 comeback victory.
The Mildred Cheche-coached U17 national women's team is in The Dominican Republic for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup set to kick off on Wednesday 16 October, the Kenyan side making their debut.
Ahead of this clash, Junior Starlets had gone on a run of three unbeaten friendlies having faced Valencia CF, Portugal and Intercity.
The Dominican Republic opened the scoring in the 19th minute but Nekesa responded six minutes later, levelling the score.
Serenge gave Junior Starlets the lead at the half hour mark, Kenya taking the break ahead leaving the World Cup hosts who are in Group A against another African side, Nigeria, New Zealand and Ecuador with an uphill battle in the second half.
The Caribbean nation put up a spirited fight, upon resumption but Kenya finally broke the deadlock through Atieno who scored an 81st-minute goal to seal the win for Cheche's charges.
This was the final build-up match for Junior Starlets before facing England on Friday 18 October in a historic match as the young girls become the first Kenyan team to play in a World Cup at any level.
The side will face North Korea on Sunday 20 October with the final group stage match against Mexico played on Thursday 24 October.
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