Junior Starlets forwards Faith Boke and Brenda Achieng have been named in coach Mildred Cheche’s 30-player provisional squad for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The duo were among Kenya’s key performers during the qualifying campaign, scoring as the Junior Starlets secured a second successive appearance at the global tournament.
Cheche has largely retained the squad that guided Kenya past Namibia, Uganda and South Africa, while also widening her options through extensive scouting at school competitions, including the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Ball Games.
Kenya booked their place in Morocco after a convincing 5-1 aggregate victory over South Africa in the final qualifying round. The Junior Starlets won 2-0 in Pretoria before completing the job with a 3-1 victory in the return leg.
They had earlier eliminated Namibia 7-1 on aggregate before edging Uganda on the away-goals rule following 1-1 and 0-0 draws. The 30 players will report to a residential camp, where Cheche and her technical team will assess their fitness, form and tactical suitability before naming the final 25-player squad for the tournament. Kenya have been drawn in Group E alongside China PR, the United States and debutants Samoa.
They will open their campaign against China on October 19 at 5 pm EAT, face the USA on October 22 at 8 pm and complete their group matches against Samoa on October 25 at 8 pm. The World Cup will run from October 17 to November 7.
Provisional squad—Goalkeepers: Mishel Okoyo (Wiyeta Girls), Martha Wekhomba (Nasokol ), Vallary Achieng (Nyakach); Defenders: Namisi Pauline (Desert Scorpions), Jael Nanjala (Kitale School), Idah Matara (Nyakach Girls), Idah Akinyi (Kobala), Grace Mumo (Madira Girls), Bevarline Awuor (Mathare Women), Ruth Mulongo (Wiyeta), Daisy Adongo (Katonje), Brenda Awuor (Madira Primary), Khatenje Fleviah (St. Joseph’s, Kitale); Midfielders: Bakari Mwanakombo (Kombani School), Beryl Okumu (Nyakach), Noelina Akuku (Butere), Iffy Norah (St. Joseph Murang’a Starlets), Lindey Weey Atieno (Raila School), Peninah Fostine (Nyakach Girls), Clarice Demba (Wiyeta); Forwards: Brenda Achieng (Kakamega Hill), Elizabeth Alizeba (Oding’ Primary), Emily Adhiambo (Nyakach ), Wambui Tabitha (Mathare United Women), Faith Boke (Butere), Patience Waithera (St. Joseph’s, Murang’a), Joan Agola (Nyakach), Marcy Awuor (Butere), Gaudancia Maloba (Lwak), Ivy Atieno (Wiyeta).
