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Okere names Rising Starlets Under-20 squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 00:00 | By
National under 20 women team in training on Tuesday. Photo/PD/GIBO ZACHARY

Kenya national women’s football team Under-20, Rising Starlets’ final squad has been named ahead of this Saturday’s FIFA  Women’s Under-20 World Cup qualifiers against Uganda.

The team’s head coach Charles Okere who also doubles up as the Harambee Starlets head coach, on Tuesday confirmed his selected squad of 30 players in final preparations for the two-legged knockout qualifiers.

The first leg is slated for Saturday, from 3 pm at Nyayo National Stadium with the return leg scheduled on October 8, 2021, in Uganda, and the tactician who started off with a selection exercise last week before trimming the squad to 30 players, said that the team is in high spirits as they look to go past the Ugandans in their quest to qualify for the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

“We begin our FIFA U20 Women World Cup campaign against Uganda this Saturday and we are determined to get a positive result that will take us a step closer to our dream of featuring in the 2022 FIFA U20 Women World Cup.” said Okere.

“This level is crucial for us because we get to train and nurture the next generation of players that will transit to the Senior Starlets,” he added.

Okere has handed call-ups to six players that play in the top tier league, FKF Women’s Premier League as well as impressive midfielder Maximilla Robi of Beijing FC.

The six players are goalkeeper Valentine Khwaka of Zetech Sparks, defenders Veronica Awino (Gaspo Women) and Peris Oside (Nakuru Queens) as well as Zetech Sparks’ trio of midfielders Lydia Akoth and Milka Awino and goal poacher Joy Kinglady.

He has also named Kenya international youngster Drailer Salome who is playing for Tigers FC in Tanzania in the midfield alongside Medina Abubakar of Uweza Soccer Academy, as well as forwards Fasila Adhiambo (Dagoretti Mix), Elizabeth Muteshi (Nangili Girls), Sylvia Makungu (Acakoro), Shirlyne Opisa (Wiyeta Girls), Charity Midewa (Madira Girls), and Catherine Kizito (Kolwa Falcons).

Uganda’s Crested Cranes are scheduled to arrive in the country today Thursday, September 23, 2021 morning hours in readiness for the Saturday match where the winner of the tie on aggregate will face the winner of the second-round tie pitting Mozambique against South Africa.

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