Naema Celestine 
Florence Simiyu
Kenya’s Junior Starlets are gearing up for their debut in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and they’ll face off against tournament hosts Dominican Republic in their last friendly match on Tuesday.
The encounter will take place at the Central Española Stadium at 5 PM Kenyan time, marking the first-ever meeting between the two teams. This match is crucial as the Starlets prepare for the tournament, which kicks off on October 16 and runs until November 3 in Santo Domingo.
Since arriving in the Dominican Republic last week after an intense 10-day training camp in Spain, the Starlets have been working hard under the guidance of their head coach, Mildred Cheche.
“The mood in the camp is fantastic, and the team is eager for the World Cup,” said coach Cheche after the Starlets’ training session on Sunday. “We’ve had to adjust to the warmer weather here compared to Nairobi, and that’s been a crucial part of our training. The girls have shown great adaptability, and we’re confident in putting on a solid performance during the tournament.”
The team’s Spain training camp was a success, where they played three friendly matches without tasting defeat. They secured two victories—beating Intercity Femenino and Valencia CF Women 4-1—and earned a 1-1 draw against Portugal. These matches proved invaluable in shaping the squad’s tactics and boosting their morale ahead of the World Cup.
“Those games in Spain gave us incredible experience,” Cheche remarked. “Facing strong clubs helped sharpen our skills and allowed us to assess where we stand as a team. We saw our strengths and the areas that need improvement before the tournament begins. It has prepared us well for what’s to come.”
“It’s more than just an accomplishment—it’s a huge motivation for these girls,” Cheche noted. “They’re about to make history, competing against some of the best teams in the world, teams with a rich legacy in this competition. It’s a proud moment for the players and for Kenyan football.”
Kenya’s Junior Starlets have been placed in Group ‘C,’ where they’ll face some tough competition. They’ll be up against two-time champions North Korea, 2016 quarter-finalists England, and 2018 finalists Mexico. The Starlets will kick off their World Cup campaign on October 17 with a match against England, followed by a clash with North Korea on October 19, and they’ll round off the group stage with a match against Mexico on October 24.
As for their final friendly opponent, the Dominican Republic is part of Group ‘A,’ where they will face Ecuador, New Zealand, and Nigeria. Both teams will be looking to iron out any final kinks ahead of the main tournament, making Tuesday’s match a vital preparatory step for both sides.
Kenya’s Junior Starlets will be hoping to carry the momentum from their Spain camp into the World Cup, eager to make their mark on the international stage. With the tournament fast approaching, all eyes will be on the young Kenyan squad as they take their first steps towards World Cup history.
