In a historic first for Kenya, the Junior Starlets have made history by becoming the first team in the country’s football history to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
The young national team secured their place on the world stage by thrashing Burundi 5-0 on aggregate. They will compete in the 2024 U-17 Women’s FIFA World Cup, scheduled between October 16th and November 3rd in the Dominican Republic.
The U-17 team, led by coach Mildred Cheche, joins Zambia and Nigeria as the African teams that have qualified for the tournament.
They played their first leg against Burundi at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Ethiopia, securing a 3-0 victory. They followed up with a 2-0 win on Sunday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
“I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured for this remarkable achievement of being the pioneering team in Kenya to secure a spot in the World Cup. My heartfelt congratulations go out to the players, the coaching staff and all those who stood by us throughout this incredible journey,” Mildred Cheche remarked.
Speaking after the match, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba assured that he would ensure the team receives proper training before they depart for the World Cup.
“We needed a confirmation, demonstration that Talanta works and that investing in talent works and the Junior Starlets have given us that confirmation.”
After the match, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba awarded each of the Harambee Junior Starlets players Sh. 300,000 for their historic achievement. The total reward announced for the team, including the technical bench, was a bumper Sh. 10 million.
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“It is four months down to the World Cup and I want these girls to enjoy the moment,” he said.
He further hosted the girls and their parents for dinner Gala. Ababu Namwamba further clarified that his team have already identified a location where the girls will be having their training sessions.
“This is mind-blowing. It is not every day that you witness the writing of history. We have never been close to any Kenyan team playing at the World Cup. These girls have written history and I am proud of them,” he said.