News Focus
- Mildred Cheche selects final 23-player travelling party for regional tournament in Tanzania
- Four new players called up to replace Ivy Atieno, Idah Matara, Daisy Adongo and Grace Wangari
- Championship serves as key preparation for upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa
- Kenya faces Sudan, Somalia and hosts Tanzania in the group stage
- Team departs for Dar es Salaam after completing final training session at Kasarani Annex
Kenya’s Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has confirmed her final squad for the upcoming CECAFA U17 Women’s Championship, which kicks off in Tanzania on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
The regional competition comes at a vital time for the young Kenyan side. Aside from competing for the regional title, the tournament gives Cheche’s players an important chance to improve their tactics and build teamwork before their decisive FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against South Africa later this year.
The technical bench has kept most of the core group that faced Uganda in recent World Cup qualifying matches. However, four changes have been made to strengthen the team. Newcomers Jael Nanjala, Lindey Weey, Grace Chari, and Elizabeth Awuor have earned call-ups, replacing Ivy Atieno, Idah Matara, Daisy Adongo, and Grace Wangari.
The Starlets finished their local preparations with a final residential training session at the Kasarani Annex on Thursday, 11 June, before travelling to Tanzania on Friday.
Kenya faces a busy group stage schedule. They open their campaign against Sudan at the KMC Stadium on Saturday at 1:00 PM local time. They then face Somalia at the Azam Complex on Monday, 15 June at 4:00 PM, before concluding their group matches against hosts Tanzania at the KMC Stadium on Wednesday, 17 June at 4:00 PM.
The team showed great determination during their World Cup qualifying journey. The coaches want to maintain this high intensity throughout the championship, using the matches as essential preparation to ensure the squad is ready for their next World Cup challenge.
The Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mishel Okoyo, Martha Wekhomba, Vallary Achieng
Defenders: Namisi Pauline, Jael Nanjala, Boke Faith, Atieno Sheila, Grace Mumo, Bevarline Awuor
Midfielders: Bakari Mwanakombo, Beryl Awuor, Khatenje Fleviah, Noelina Akuku, Brenda Awuor, Grace Chari, Gaudancia Maloba, Lindey Weey Atieno
Forwards: Brenda Achieng, Elizabeth Alizeba, Patience Waithira, Emily Adhiambo, Wambui Tabitha, Elizabeth Awuor