2026 FIFA U17 (WWC): Cheche unveils Kenya squad for Namibia duel

Kenya women’s U17 coach Mildred Cheche has named the provisional Junior Starlets squad ahead of the upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Namibia.

The two-legged tie will see Kenya begin their campaign away, with the first leg scheduled for April 12, 2026, before returning home for the decisive second leg on April 18, 2026 in Nairobi.

Harambee Starlets U-17 provisional squad is out!

♦️Head coach Mildred Cheche has named a balanced Junior Starlets squad ahead of Kenya’s upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Namibia.

First leg: April 12, 2026 🇳🇦

Return leg: April 18, 2026 🇰🇪

Thoughts?… pic.twitter.com/tSettmZwey

— Moraa Times (@MoraaTimes) March 23, 2026

Cheche has named a balanced squad blending experience from previous international assignments with emerging talent, as the team looks to secure a place on the global stage once again.

Kenya building on lessons from last year’s campaign

The Junior Starlets will be aiming to make a strong statement in the first leg in Namibia, before leveraging home advantage in Nairobi to seal qualification in front of their supporters.

With the qualifiers just getting underway, the team will be focused on navigating each round step by step, with the ultimate goal of going all the way and moving past the final hurdle to secure qualification, building on lessons from last year’s campaign where they fell to Cameroon in the final decisive stage.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers; Mitshel Ng’ono (Wiyeta girls), Vallary Achieng (Nyakach girls), Martha Mitchelle (Nasokol girls), Roseline Achondo (Tumaini Secondary).

Defenders; Pauline Namisi (Desert scorpions), Faith Boke (Butere girls), Idah Matara (Nyakach girls), Ruth Barasa (Wiyeta girls), Daisy Adongo (Gideon starlets), Sheila Atieno (Nyakach girls), Grace Mumo (Madira girls), Rose Nangila (Amus college), Brenda Otieno (Kobala secondary).

Midfielders; Bevarline Awuor (Mathare United), Bakari Mwanakombo (Kombani secondary), Brenda Awuor (Madira girls), Gaudancia Maloba (Lwak girls), ⁠Noelina Akuku (Butere girls), Lindi Weey Atieno (Madira girls), Beryl Awuor (Nyakach girls), Fleviah Khatenje (St. Joseph girls kitale)

Forwards; Brenda Achieng (Kakamega hill), Patience Waithera (St. Joseph Murang’a), Khadija Furaha (Kobala Secondary), Emily Adhiambo (Nyakach girls), Tabitha Wambui (Madira girls), ⁠Ivy Atieno (St. Joseph girls Kitale), ⁠Lilyann Adhiambo (Kibera soccer women), Melvin Vugutsa (Annet Mixed secondary), Elizabeth Alizeba (Oding JSS).