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Rising Starlets face Ethiopia in Fifa U-20 World Cup qualifier
Rising Starlets train at Kasarani Annex Grounds in Nairobi in preparation for their 2024 Under-20 Women's World Cup qualifiers against Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon on November 11,2023.
Kenya's Under-20 national team Rising Starlets face Ethiopia in Addis Ababa in the their 2026 Fifa Women’s World Cup qualifier second round first leg today.
The return leg is scheduled for October 28 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
The winner will advance to the third round against either Tanzania or Angola in February.
The 23-player squad, coached by Jackline Juma, arrived in Addis Ababa on Thursday and had three days to acclimatize.
The squad has several players promoted from the Junior Starlets Under 17 squad that made their debut in the Fifa Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic last October and should have some useful experience playing at this level.
The players include goalkeepers Velma Abwire, Scovia Awuor, Ephy Awuor, defenders Lorine Ilavonga, Elizabeth Ochaka, midfielders Rebecca Odato, Halima Imbachi, Valarie Nekesa, and Lornah Faith.
Experienced players such as striker Fasilah Adhiambo (captain), midfielders Emily Moranga, Molvine Owuor, Velma Kavesh, and Elizabeth Mideva are also part of the squad.
Starlets will have their work cut out for them as the face Ethiopia for the second time at this level.
The Kenyan girls have been eliminated in the second round of their last three U-20 World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya defeated Ethiopia 4-3 on aggregate in the first round but was eliminated by Ghana 10-1 in the second round of the 2018 qualifiers.
This was the first time Starlets faced Ethiopia in the qualifiers.
Kenya were beaten 10-3 by Uganda in the second round of the 2023 qualifiers.
