- Schools have dominated Kenya’s provisional Junior Starlets squad for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, with players drawn heavily from secondary and junior institutions.
- Wiyeta Girls, Nyakach Girls, Butere Girls and St Joseph’s Girls, Kitale, have emerged as key talent pipelines, each contributing multiple players to the squad.
- The technical bench is continuing preparations as it works towards naming the final squad for the World Cup.
By Jeff Kirui
Kenya’s education sector has emerged as a major talent pipeline for the Junior Starlets, with players from secondary and junior schools featuring prominently in the provisional squad for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
The provisional list highlights the growing role of school football in identifying and nurturing young female talent, with a majority of the players currently attached to learning institutions across the country. Among the goalkeepers are Mishel Okoyo of Wiyeta Girls, Vallary Achieng of Nyakach Girls and Martha Wekhomba of Nasokol.
The defensive department includes Pauline Namisi of Desert Scorpions, Jael Nanjala of Kitale School, Idah Akinyi, formerly captain of Kobala Secondary School, Idah Matara of Nyakach, Grace Mumo of Madira Girls, Ruth Mulongo of Wiyeta Girls, Daisy Adongo of Kotonje Mixed, Fleviah Khatenje of St Joseph’s Girls, Kitale, and Brenda Awuor of Madira JSS. Bervaline Awuor of Mathare Women FC is also included.
The midfield features Beryl Okumu of Nyakach Girls, Noelina Akuku of Butere Girls, Lindey Weey of Raila Educational Centre and Clarice Demba of Wiyeta Girls, alongside Bakari Mwanakombo of Kombani and Iff Norah.
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In the attack, schools continue to provide a strong presence, with Elizabeth Alizeba of Onding JSS, Faith Boke and Marcy Awuor of Butere Girls, Patience Waithera of St Joseph Murang’a, Joan Agola of Nyakach Girls, Gaudencia Maloba of Lwak Girls and Ivy Atieno of Wiyeta Girls among those listed.
The strong representation of schools underlines the importance of school competitions in Kenya’s women’s football development. Institutions such as Wiyeta Girls, Nyakach Girls, Butere Girls and St Joseph’s Girls, Kitale, have become important platforms for identifying and developing young footballers. The inclusion of junior school players also points to the expanding pathway from grassroots football through the education system to the national team.
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For schools, the selections provide further evidence that investment in girls’ football can create opportunities beyond the classroom while giving talented learners a platform to represent Kenya at the highest level. The Junior Starlets will continue preparations as the technical bench works towards naming the final squad for the World Cup.
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