Photo Credit - Football Kenya Federation Media.
Kenya national women’s Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has revealed the team’s desire to grace the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the second time.
Fresh from their historic World Cup debut in the Dominican Republic, the team is eager to build on that experience and secure an early advantage in the two-legged tie as they face Uganda in a second-round qualifier at Nakivubo Stadium on Saturday.
“We tasted that bit of action and we now know what it feels like to play at a World Cup. That feeling has ignited more hunger in us and the girls want to go back there. We have new players who have been called up and they also want to taste the feeling. That combined effort is what is driving and pushing us towards qualification,” said Cheche as quoted by CAFOnline.
“I look at it as motivation, knowing that people expect a lot from us. It is not pressure on our end. We have prepared well over the last two weeks and we have worked on every little detail. We know we face a tough Uganda side and our aim is to take the best result from the away leg.”
Speaking on behalf of the players, new captain Halima Imbachi said: “It is such a huge honour to be given this role as captain and it means the team trusts me. My job is to guide the team, especially the new players as we head to Uganda to ensure that we start with a win. There is a lot of confidence within the team and we want to go and do our best.”
On Thursday, Cheche named a squad featuring a mix of fresh talents and some familiar faces from the previous qualification campaign, including Imbachi, Mitshel Waithera, Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevive Mithel, Elizabeth Ochaka, Joy Angela Valencia, Joan Ogola, and Lindy Weey.
The winner in the second round duel between Kenya and Uganda will meet the winner between Ethiopia and Cameroon, for one of three available African tickets to play at the World Cup next year.
Travelling Squad;
Goalkeepers; Velma Abwire, Scovia Awuor, Ann Wavinya.
Defenders; Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, Jenevive Mithel, Patience Asiko, Sharline Munasia, Grace Mumo, Judith Nandwa, Faith Boke.
Midfielders; Halima Imbachi, Brenda Awuor, Lindy Weey Atieno, Brigit Maria, Fleviah Khatenje, Mwanakombo Bakari.
Forwards; Anifa Bakari, Mitshel Waithera, Joy Angela Valencia, Joan Ogola, Edinah Nasipwondi, Brenda Achieng.
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