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Junior Starlets will be facing England in their first match on Friday morning from 2:00 AM EAT.
As Kenya's Junior Starlets prepare for their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup match, captain Elizabeth Ochaka is brimming with confidence. The team is set to face England on Friday at 2:00 AM EAT, at the Estadio Cibao in the Dominican Republic, marking a historic moment for Kenyan football.
Drawn into a challenging Group C, the Starlets will compete against England, Mexico, and North Korea. However, Ochaka remains upbeat, emphasising the strong team spirit and camaraderie that has fuelled their preparations.
“Training has been good. We got to camp and pushed ourselves. We have done everything the coach has asked us and we have had to be disciplined because we know without discipline, nothing is possible,” Ochaka said.
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06:05 - 24.06.2024
A look into Junior Starlets' opponents for the upcoming U-17 FIFA Women's World Cup: What should they expect?
Kenya have been grouped in group C of the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup alongside Mexico, South Korea and England. This is what you need to know about the three teams:
The Junior Starlets have shown promising form during their pre-tournament friendlies. They started by impressively defeating Valencia CF Women 4-1 on 25th September, followed by a 1-1 draw against Portugal two days later. They capped off their camp with another 4-1 win against CF Intercity on 30th September and a 3-1 victory over the Dominican Republic U-17 side in their final tune-up match on 8th October.
For Ochaka and her teammates, the World Cup presents an opportunity not just to make history, but also to catch the eye of scouts who could offer them professional deals abroad.
“As players, we are very excited because it is the first time we are going to play at the World Cup and represent our country. It is monumental because we have never seen any other team, even the men, representing us. When we go there, we will give it our best,” Ochaka said.
England, their first opponents, have a formidable track record in youth women’s football, having reached the semi-finals of the 2008 U-17 Women’s World Cup. Their current squad includes players from top English academies, such as Arsenal, and they have been in red-hot form, losing just one of their last 11 matches.
Despite the challenge, Ochaka is not intimidated by England's reputation or recent performances.
“We are not scared of them. They may have played in the World Cup multiple times but we believe in ourselves. We started this battle and we will fight to the end. They are also girls like we are and now that we have that exposure it will help us get to another level," she declared.
Coach Mildred Cheche has played a pivotal role in building the team’s confidence, reminding the players to focus on their game and not be overwhelmed by the occasion.
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12:15 - 16.10.2024
Junior Starlets get a feel of the pitch ahead of maiden FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup campaign
The Junior Starlet are poised to take on England U-17 in their world cup debut match on October 18.
“She has advised us to put everything into practice and not fear anyone. If we go there without panicking, the sky is the limit,” Ochaka explained.
The bond among the team has also been strengthened through shared rituals. Ochaka revealed that the squad holds regular bonding sessions, where they read the Bible, sing worship songs, and reflect on their journey together.
As the Junior Starlets gear up for this historic feat, Ochaka's leadership, vision, and determination are sure to inspire her teammates as they take on some of the best young footballing talent in the world
The match will be televised live on FIFA+.
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