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E-mail Xinhua, February 10, 2025
NAIROBI, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Monday launched preparations for a crucial qualifier for the 2025 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup qualifier against neighboring Uganda next month.
Head coach Mildred Cheche named a 51-player provisional squad for the side commonly known as Junior Starlets.
The squad includes several players from the 2024 World Cup campaign, such as goalkeepers Velma Abwire and Scovia Awuor, and defenders Lorine Ilavonga and Jenevive Mithel.
Other survivors from the side that played in the Dominican Republic include midfielders Lindey Weey, Halima Imbachi, and Brenda Awuor, as well as forwards Joy Valencia, Joan Ogola and Quinter Adhiambo, among others.
While the squad boasts incredible talent, Cheche is faced with the challenge of rebuilding the team as several key players who featured in the last World Cup campaign have since moved on.
Lorna Faith, Marion Serenge and Diana Anyango are now part of the U20 national team, meaning the Junior Starlets will have to rely on a fresh set of young players to navigate the qualifiers.
Cheche, however, remains optimistic.
"The squad that qualified for the last U17 World Cup has largely moved on. This makes the challenge even tougher, but it's achievable. Uganda is a strong side, already match-fit from playing in the first round, and if we get past them, an even bigger test awaits us against Cameroon," she said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
"To prepare, we will play a couple of friendlies against local sides. Our goal remains clear: to qualify for the U17 World Cup, and we will give our all to make it happen," Cheche said.
The Junior Starlets will begin their training camp this week, with friendly matches lined up to ensure the team is well-prepared for the Uganda test.
Uganda, having already played in the first round of the qualifiers, will come into the match with the advantage in terms of match fitness.
The tie will be contested over two legs, with the first match scheduled between March 7 and 9 and the return leg set for March 14 to 16.
The winner will play Cameroon in the final round of qualifying for a ticket to the 2025 U17 World Cup that will be hosted in Morocco between October and November. Enditem
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