Junior Starlets’ head coach Mildred Cheche has named her final squad for the upcoming CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship set to kick off on June 13, 2026.
Cheche has largely maintained the core of the squad that recently featured in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Uganda. Only a handful of changes have been made to the squad, with Jael Nanjala, Lindey Weey, Grace Chari, and Elizabeth Awuor earning call-ups.
The quartet comes in to strengthen the team ahead of the regional tournament, stepping in for Ivy Atieno, Idah Matara, Daisy Adongo, and Grace Wangari from the previous squad.
The CECAFA championship arrives at a crucial moment for the Junior Starlets. Beyond competing for regional honours, the tournament presents a valuable opportunity for the team to continue building cohesion, assess tactical approaches, and gain competitive match experience ahead of their highly anticipated FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying tie against South Africa.
Having already shown resilience and quality in their journey through the qualifiers, the Junior Starlets will be looking to use the regional competition as a platform to fine-tune their preparations while maintaining the winning momentum that has characterised their recent performances.
Who will Kenya face in the CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship
Kenya will begin their CECAFA U17 Girls Championship campaign against Sudan on June 13 before facing Somalia on June 15. The group stage will conclude with an encounter against the hosts, Tanzania, on June 17.
The championship is expected to provide Coach Cheche and her technical bench with a final opportunity to evaluate the squad in a competitive environment before attention shifts fully to the crucial World Cup qualification showdown. The team had their final residential training session at Kasarani Annex on June 11 and were set to arrive in Tanzania on Friday, June 12.
With a place at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup at stake later this year, every match in the CECAFA tournament will serve as an important step in the Junior Starlets’ preparations as they continue their pursuit of a second consecutive appearance on the global stage.
Junior Starlets’ CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship Squad
- Goalkeepers
Mishel Okoyo, Martha Wekhomba, Vallary Achieng.
- Defenders
Namisi Pauline, Jael Nanjala, Boke Faith, Atieno Sheila, Grace Mumo, Bevarline Awuor.
- Midfielders
Bakari Mwanakombo, Beryl Awuor, Khatenje Fleviah, Noelina Akuku, Brenda Awuor, Grace Chari, Gaudancia Maloba, Lindey Weey Atieno.
- Forwards
Brenda Achieng, Elizabeth Alizeba, Patience Waithira, Emily Adhiambo, Wambui Tabitha, and Elizabeth Awuor.
Kenya’s CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship fixtures
- Kenya vs Sudan | June 13 | 1300hrs | KMC Stadium
- Somalia vs Kenya | June 15 | 1600 hrs | Azam Complex
- Tanzania vs Kenya | June 17 | 1600hrs | KMC Stadium
