Kenya’s national anthem usually rings out loud during athletics championships, but this week it was heard for the first time in the World Cup as the Junior Starlets made their maiden appearance at the global stage in the Dominican Republic.
Despite being knocked out in the group stage, the Under-17 picked a lot of lessons which they termed as important in the future of the young team.Junior Starlets lost 2-0 to an experienced England side in their opening encounter followed by another loss of 3-0 in the hands of two-time champions Korea DPR before registering their first win when they beat Mexico 2-1 in their final group match thus finishing third in group C
Coach Mildred Cheche has described the journey as an eye opener for her career, the technical bench and the players as a whole.
“For myself, I have borrowed some ideas both technically and tactically which will help me shape my coaching path,” said Cheche.
She added, “For players they have shown their talent which made some of them being scouted at least four players which is something we are already proud of and we will give more details once it materialises”.
Winger Marion Serenge and captain Elizabeth Ochaka echoed their tactician’s sentiments saying they gave hundred percent in all the three matches and hoped to have captured the scouts’ eyes at the end of the tourney.
“We fought to be here and now we gave all our efforts hoping that playing at this biggest stage will be a life changer for most of us by being scouted,” said Marion.
Most of the 16 teams have players who ply their trade in professional clubs, something which our girls lack.
For example, the host Dominican Republic team, despite being a country which doesn’t have a huge football following but half of their players come from clubs outside their borders.
More international friendlies and tournaments will instill confidence and exposure for Kenyan girls, something midfielder Rebeca Odati hopes the government will work on.
“We hope that our government will give us more support like our fellows here who fully enjoy what they are doing and that is why they are always in front of us’.
Junior Starlets jet back home on Saturday but more focused on the next edition of the tournament which will now be held yearly from next year with Morocco in line to host the next edition.
By Luqman Mahmoud