Kenya will start its dream journey towards qualifying for the Under-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the second round when they take on Uganda at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday. Kenya were handed a bye from the first round and will kick off their dream in round two.
Head coach Charles Okere says he is confident the team can secure the dream, but says there is a lot of work to be done over the next few days.
“This is an opportunity for us to try and continue developing women football in Kenya. Our dream is to qualify for the World Cup and I believe if we get things right we can achieve that dream. We want to take a match at a time and see how things go,” Okere said.
He added; “These are the same girls who in future we hope will make up the senior national team so its very crucial for us to give them a very solid foundation and the experience of battling for the World Cup qualification will be key in shaping them.”
The Rising Starlets have already started off preparations towards the Saturday game having started camp on Sunday with a squad of 30 players battling for the final team of 22.
Uganda’s Crested Cranes is set to arrive in the country on Thursday morning and will have a training session at the match venue on Friday evening.
The winner of the tie on aggregate will face the winner of the second-round tie pitting Mozambique against South Africa. There will be two more qualification rounds after this, with the top two teams set to qualify for the U20 Women’s World Cup to be staged in Costa Rica next year.
Kenya’s squad is mostly made up of players who have been scouted for secondary schools.
Kenya Squad in camp
Goalkeepers
Ursula Nasimiyu (Dagoretti Mix), Valentine Khwaka (Zetech Sparks), Lucy Kisaga (Gitothua Starlets),
Edith Auma (Kibera Queens), Sophy Akinyi (Manyatta Ladies).
Defenders
Veronica Awino (Gaspo Women), Peris Oside (Nakuru Queens), Mercy Masika (Dagoretti Mix), Joyce Andeo (Beijing FC), Eunice Mwangi (Mpesa Foundation), Invioleta Mukoshi (St John’s Kaloleni), Lucy Kahuga (Madira Girls), Martha Simiyu (Falling Waters), Redempta Mercy (Madira Girls)
Midfielders
Medina Abubakar (Uweza Soccer), Drailer Salome (Tigers FC), Lydia Akoth (Zetech Sparks), Maximilla Robi (Beijing FC), Milka Awino (Zetech Sparks), Catherine Aringo (Fortune Ladies), Jane Hato (Madira Girls), Lavender Akinyi (Wiyeta Girls), Mildred Kanyisi (Dagoretti Mix).
Forwards
Fasila Adhiambo (Dagoretti Mix), Elizabeth Muteshi (Nangili Girls), Sylvia Makungu (Acakoro), Shirlyne Opisa (Wiyeta Girls), Charity Midewa (Madira Girls), Joy Kinglady (Zetech Sparks), Catherine Kizito (Kolwa Falcons)
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