Kenya’s Junior Starlets will step up their preparations for the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco with a series of high-profile friendly matches in Spain, including games against Australia and leading clubs such as Real Betis and Cadiz.
Speaking during a training session at Kasarani Annex grounds on Friday, Head coach Mildred Cheche said she believes the international fixtures will provide her squad with the quality opposition and tactical test required ahead of the tournament, where Kenya will meet China, the United States and Samoa.
The team has already been building its competitive edge through matches against boys’ sides and Premier League teams at home, but Cheche expects the Spain camp to offer another level of preparation.
“The camp has been well. Most of the players are psyched for the World Cup,” noted Cheche.
She revealed that the team is also dealing with a few injury concerns, with Faith Boke continuing her recovery. However, the coach is optimistic that Boke will be fit enough to feature when the World Cup gets underway.
Cheche added that the Junior Starlets are approaching their second appearance at the global tournament with greater confidence after learning valuable lessons from their maiden campaign.
Unlike their first appearance, when the players were unfamiliar with the demands of the competition, Cheche believes the experience gained in the previous tournament has given the team a clearer understanding of what awaits them.
“We are going with experience. We know what to expect,” she said.
The coach added that the team has studied the quality and technical ability of players from different countries and is working on ensuring her charges can adapt to different styles of play.
This time, she insists, the objective is not simply to take part, but to make progress beyond the group stage.
“We are going to compete, not participate, because we are looking to go beyond the group stages,” said Cheche.
Mwanakombo Bakari is expected to join the squad in Morocco on October 15 after completing her school commitments. Cheche explained that the youngster is continuing to train and compete at school in preparation for the tournament.
The coach also stressed the importance of tactical analysis as Kenya prepares to face some of the strongest youth teams in the world.
She said the technical bench has been working on different strategies and preparing the players to cope with high-level opponents.
“We have been preparing fully for the competition and preparing our players to play against high-end opponents,” said Cheche.
Captain Bevarline Awuor disclosed that the players are determined to improve on their previous World Cup campaign, when Kenya recorded its first victory at the tournament.
Having experienced the global stage, Awuor said the squad now wants to go further.
“We won one match, and this time we want to win at least more than one match,” she said.
The captain revealed that the players have set their sights as high as the final and urged Kenyans to give the team their full support.
“We want to get to the final. That is what motivates us,” she said.
Awuor believes the team has been given the necessary preparation and support to compete, while Cheche called for continued investment in women's youth football.
Cheche added that Kenya's qualification for the World Cup should not be viewed as a one-off achievement, arguing that consistent support and proper structures could enable the country to qualify regularly for the annual tournament.
For Cheche and her players, the message ahead of Morocco is clear: the Junior Starlets are travelling with experience, ambition and a determination to compete rather than simply make up the numbers.
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