Kenya's Junior Starlets are intensifying preparations for their second FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup appearance, with the team targeting a convincing campaign in Morocco. Captain Berveline Awuor has set an ambitious goal, aiming to go beyond their previous performance and challenge for a place in the final stages. The team secured their spot at the tournament after beating South Africa in the qualifiers in July.
The Junior Starlets' head coach, Mildred Cheche, says the team has been working to address areas identified through detailed analysis. The preparations will include a series of high-profile friendly matches in Spain, giving the players a chance to test themselves against different opposition. The friendlies will be against teams such as Australia, Cardiff, and Real Betis before the tournament starts.
The matches in Spain will form a crucial part of Kenya's final preparations as Cheche looks to fine-tune the squad ahead of the World Cup. The team will also receive a boost with the return of Mwanakombo Bakari, who has been sidelined by injury. Cheche confirmed that Bakari is expected to join the squad on October 15.
However, injuries have disrupted Kenya's preparations, with Rose Wangila and Lindey Atieno ruled out of the squad. Despite the setbacks, the Junior Starlets remain focused on building a competitive team for the tournament. Captain Berveline Awuor says the players have learned from their previous World Cup experience and are determined to improve this time around.
Awuor insists the team is not traveling to Morocco merely to participate but to compete. Kenya will open its World Cup campaign against China on October 19, at the Women's Football Complex, Pitch 1 in Morocco. The Junior Starlets will then face the United States later in the week in another demanding Group-stage encounter.
The challenging schedule means Kenya will need a strong start, with every result likely to be crucial in the race to advance to the knockout stages. For Awuor, the objective is straightforward: improve on the team's previous showing and go further in the competition. Awuor said, "Last time we won one match, this time we want to win more than one, and even reach the finals."
Kenya's qualification marks only the second time the country has reached the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup. The upcoming friendlies in Spain will provide a final test before the squad travels to Morocco, while Cheche and her technical team will continue monitoring the players' fitness and integrating Bakari when she joins the squad.
Key points
- - The Junior Starlets are targeting a convincing campaign in the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco. - The team has intensified preparations, including high-profile friendly matches in Spain. - Captain Berveline Awuor aims to go beyond their previous performance and challenge for a place in the final stages.
