Kenya national U17 women head coach Mildred Cheche has discussed the level of the squad heading into their first appearance at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic from October 16th to November 3rd.
The Junior Starlets will be making history as the first ever Kenyan side (both men and women) to play in the World Cup. The East African nation have been pooled in Group C alongside England, North Korea and Mexico.
Kenya’s first match will see them take on England at the Cibao Stadium on October 18th, face North Korea in matchday two on October 20th before winding up their preliminary matches against Mexico at Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium on October 24th.
The Junior Starlets booked their place in the global tournament after beating Burundi 5-0 on aggregate. Kenya beat Burundi 3-0 in the first leg before sealing the ticket with a 2-0 win in Nairobi. Apart from Kenya, Africa will be represented by Nigeria and Zambia. Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Spain and USA will also compete at the tournament.
Junior Starlets coach Cheche believes the friendly matches the team was involved in as part of their preparations for the competition as helped her and the technical bench to understand their level and work on mistakes ahead of their opening fixture.
“The mood in camp is good, and the players are psyched up and looking forward to the World Cup and they are ready for the matches, the squad has adapted well to the climate, it is a bit hot than Nairobi but they are coping up well,” Cheche told Africa Top Sports.
On the friendly matches they played in Spain before heading to the Dominican Republic, Cheche said: “The Test matches were good for the team because playing against European clubs and against Portugal was very nice for the team, it helped us to see the level where we are and what we need to work on.
“Being the first time in the World Cup, I think it is a big motivation for the team, being able to play against big countries that have qualified (for the same tournament) before, this is a great challenge for us, as a team and as a country, to carry the flag at the global tournament.
“As a person it will help shape my coaching skills and also the level of my coaching. For the team it will help their level of competition and for the country it will help more girls to play football, so it is a big step for all of us.
“They are enjoying the food it is not far from what they eat at home, most of the delicacy is what we eat at home, apart from Sukumawiki, the rest of the food they have it here and I am glad that the players don’t have a challenge with the food they are having here.”