The Kenya U17 Women’s soccer team, Junior Starlets are in Dominican Republic ahead of the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup scheduled from the 16th of October to 3rd November.
Kenya warmed up for the championship by playing a series of friendly matches in Spain where they held a two week training camp.
Junior Starlets won two and drew one match during their 14 day training camp in Alicante Spain.
Junior Starlets wound up the friendly matches with a resounding 4-1 win against Intercity Femenino,having already beaten Valencia CF Women 4-1 and held Portugal to a 1-1 draw.
The camp helped Junior Starlets prepare for the debut at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
The camp helped gain morale and we used the matches to rate our selves and gave us belief that we can do it’’,midfielder Halima Imbachi intimated however warning of a challenging tournament that the team should be ready for ‘’We should work harder as players give our best in training because it isn’t easy’’.
Forward Marion Serenge is confident the team is hitting the rythym and will excite at the global stage.
‘’As players we gave our best in camp and worked towards achieving that,we are gunning to make our country proud’’.
Kenya will open her group C campaign against England on October 18th before facing North Korea two days later then play Mexico on October 24.
Kenya is among the four nations making their debut at the 8th edition of the championship. Host country Dominican Republic,Ecuador and Poland are the other three appearing for the first time.
Africa sides Nigeria and Zambia will be making their 7th and 2nd appearances respectively. Nigeria finished third at the previous edition of the finals two years ago.Zambia will be searching their first knock out place appearance.
The cities of Santiago de los Caballeros and Santo Domingo will host the finals that will bring together 16 countries.
Junior Starlets Squad
Goalkeepers
Velma Auma, Ephy Awuor, Scovia Awuor
Defenders
Elizebeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevieve Mithel, Christine Adhiambo, Kimberly Akinyi, Diana Anyango
MidfieldersVelma 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.
