Nyakach Girls Dominate Junior Starlets Squad

Nyakach Girls headline the provisional Junior Starlets squad named by head coach Mildred Cheche ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Namibia.

Nyakach provides five players—Vallary Achieng, Idah Matara, Sheila Atieno, Beryl Awuor and Emily Adhiambo—underlining the school’s continued dominance in nurturing elite youth talent.

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Traditional rivals Wiyeta Girls also maintain a strong presence, with goalkeeper Mitshel Ng’ono and defender Ruth Barasa among those included.

The selection leans heavily on established school systems but also incorporates emerging talents from the domestic league to add depth and tactical balance. Notable inclusions include Pauline Namisi (Desert Scorpions), Daisy Adongo (Gideon Starlets), Lindi Weey Atieno (Madira Soccer Assassins), Bevarline Awuor (Mathare United) and Lilyann Adhiambo (Kibera Soccer), all rewarded for impressive recent performances.

The blend of continuity and fresh options reflects a technical bench keen on sustaining Kenya’s rise in youth football. The Junior Starlets made history during the 2024 campaign, securing a maiden World Cup ticket with a dominant aggregate win over Burundi, before falling short against Cameroon in the subsequent round.

Focus now shifts to the two-legged tie against Namibia, with Kenya set to play the first leg away on April 12, before hosting the return leg on April 18 in Nairobi.

With a strong school-based core complemented by league-hardened talent, Cheche’s side heads into the qualifiers carrying both expectation and momentum as they seek another breakthrough on the continental stage.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Mitshel Ng’ono (Wiyeta Girls), Vallary Achieng (Nyakach), Martha Mitchelle (Nasokol), Roseline Achondo (Tumaini ); Defenders: Pauline Namisi (Desert Scorpions), Faith Boke (Butere ), Idah Matara (Nyakach), Ruth Barasa (Wiyeta), Daisy Adongo (Gideon Starlets), Sheila Atieno (Nyakach), Grace Mumo (Madira), Rose Nangila (Amus College), Brenda Otieno (Kobala); Midfielders: Bevarline Awuor (Mathare), Bakari Mwanakombo (Kombani), Brenda Awuor (Madira), Gaudancia Maloba (Lwak), Noelina Akuku (Butere), Lindi Weey Atieno (Madira), Beryl Awuor (Nyakach), Fleviah Khatenje (St Joseph’s, Kitale); Forwards: Brenda Achieng (Kakamega Hill), Patience Waithera (St Joseph Murang’a), Khadija Furaha (Kobala), Emily Adhiambo (Nyakach), Tabitha Wambui (Madira), Ivy Atieno (St Joseph’s, Kitale), Lilyann Adhiambo (Kibera Soccer), Melvin Vugutsa (Annet Mixed) and Elizabeth Alizeba (Oding JSS)