Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has named a 30-player provisional squad as Kenya’s Under-17 women’s national team steps up preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, running from October 17 to November 7.
True to form, Cheche has largely kept faith with the players who have carried the team through this qualifying cycle. The squad consists of the group that delivered Kenya’s ticket to the tournament, edging South Africa’s Bantwana 5-1 on aggregate in the decisive final qualifying round.
While continuity has been the guiding principle, the technical bench has continued to blend in new talent, a pattern that has been maintained since the earliest qualifying rounds.
The coach has spent recent weeks scouting extensively at school-level competitions, including the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Ball Games, in search of players who could strengthen the squad’s depth before the final cut is made.
As has been the case throughout the qualifying campaign, the 30-player group will report to a residential training camp, where the coaching staff will assess fitness, form and tactical fit before trimming the squad down to the final 25 for the tournament.
The road to Morocco ran through Namibia (won 7-1 on aggregate), Uganda (advanced on away goals after a 1-1, 0-0 stalemate) and finally South Africa, where Faith Boke and Brenda Achieng’ were on the scoresheet in Pretoria before Kenya survived an early scare in the second leg to score three second-half goals and seal a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate win in front of the home crowd.
Kenya’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Group
Kenya’s reward for qualifying is a demanding group in Morocco. The Junior Starlets have been drawn in Group E alongside the United States — U17 bronze medallists in 2024, Asian side China PR, who reached the Round of 16 at the last World Cup, and tournament debutants Samoa.
Kenya opens their campaign against China PR on October 19 before facing the USA on October 22 and closing out Group E against Samoa on October 25.
Provisional Squad
- Goalkeepers
Mishel Okoyo (Wiyeta Girls), Martha Wekhomba (Nasokol Girls), Vallary Achieng (Nyakach Girls).
- Defenders
Namisi Pauline (Desert Scorpions), Jael Nanjala (Kitale School), Idah Matara (Nyakach Girls), Idah Akinyi (Kobala School), Grace Mumo (Madira Girls), Bevarline Awuor (Mathare Women), Ruth Mulongo (Wiyeta Girls), Daisy Adongo (Katonje Mix), Brenda Awuor (Madira Girls Primary School), Khatenje Fleviah (St. Joseph’s, Kitale).
- Midfielders
Bakari Mwanakombo (Kombani School), Beryl Okumu (Nyakach Girls), Noelina Akuku (Butere Girls), Iffy Norah (St. Joseph Murang’a Starlets), Lindey Weey Atieno (Raila School), Peninah Fostine (Nyakach Girls), Clarice Demba (Wiyeta Girls).
- Forwards
Brenda Achieng (Kakamega Hill), Elizabeth Alizeba (Oding’ Primary), Emily Adhiambo (Nyakach Girls), Wambui Tabitha (Mathare United Women), Faith Boke (Butere Girls), Patience Waithera (St. Joseph’s Girls, Murang’a), Joan Agola (Nyakach Girls), Marcy Awuor (Butere Girls), Gaudancia Maloba (LWAK Girls), Ivy Atieno (Wiyeta Girls).
Junior Starlets’ FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Group E fixtures
- Kenya v China PR | 5 PM EAT | Women’s Football Complex (Pitch 1) | Monday October 19
- USA v Kenya | 8PM EAT | Women’s Football Complex (Pitch 3) | Thursday October 22
- Samoa v Kenya | 8PM EAT | Women’s Football Complex (Pitch 4) | Sunday October 25
