Injuries force Mildred coach Cheche to reshuffle Junior Starlets squad ahead of Morocco World Cup

Injuries force Mildred coach Cheche to reshuffle Junior Starlets squad ahead of Morocco World Cup - Mildred Cheche during analysis with her team Junior Starlets. (Facebook/Harambee Starlets)

The four travelled to Morocco as part of Cheche’s original 24-player group before injuries hit during the team’s build-up matches against Ghana’s U-17 side and Sporting Club Casablanca.

Kenya will enter the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco without four players who were part of the team’s initial preparations, after injuries in the final phase of camp forced head coach Mildred Cheche to reshape her squad.

Nyakach Girls defender Idah Matara, Wiyeta Girls midfielder Clarice Demba and forwards Faith Boke of Butere Girls and Patience Waithere of St Joseph’s Girls, Murang’a, have all missed out on the final 21-player squad after failing to recover in time.

The four travelled to Morocco as part of Cheche’s original 24-player group before injuries hit during the team’s build-up matches against Ghana’s U-17 side and Sporting Club Casablanca.

Boke remains in rehabilitation as she works towards a full recovery.

The changes have opened the door for two players who impressed during the final stages of camp, with Peninah Fostine and Joan Agola earning their places in the squad for Kenya’s second appearance at the global tournament.

The bulk of Cheche’s squad retains the core that carried Kenya through the World Cup qualifying campaign, giving the coach a balance between players with international experience and fresh options.

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Mwanakombo Bakari has also joined the team in Morocco after arriving from the United States on October 15. The Spire Academy player is now part of the group preparing for the tournament after missing the earlier stages of the team’s Morocco camp.

Kenya travelled to Morocco on October 8 and has used the final days before the competition to adapt to the conditions and test the squad against local and international opposition.

The Starlets will now turn their attention to Group E, where they face a difficult opening assignment against China PR on October 19 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.

The United States follow three days later, before Kenya completes its group-stage campaign against Samoa on October 25.

The top two teams in each of the six groups will qualify for the Round of 16, alongside the four best third-placed teams.

For Cheche, the immediate task will be to ensure the disruption caused by injuries does not unsettle a team that has already navigated a demanding qualification campaign.

The Junior Starlets will be hoping for a stronger showing than their debut at the 2024 World Cup in the Dominican Republic, where they exited at the group stage.

Final squad

Goalkeepers: Mishel Okoyo, Martha Wekhomba, Vallary Achieng

Defenders: Namisi Pauline, Grace Mumo, Bevarline Awuor, Ruth Mulongo, Daisy Adongo, Brenda Awuor, Khatenje Fleviah

Midfielders: Bakari Mwanakombo, Beryl Okumu, Noelina Akuku, Lindey Weey Atieno, Peninah Fostine

Forwards: Brenda Achieng, Elizabeth Alizeba, Emily Adhiambo, Wambui Tabitha, Joan Agola, Gaudancia Maloba

Kenya's Group E fixtures

October 19 — China PR vs Kenya, 6 pm EAT

October 22 — USA vs Kenya, 9 pm EAT

October 25 — Samoa vs Kenya, 9 pm EAT