Midfield scorer Marion Serenge (photo courtesy The Standard, Kenya)

Rub your eyes, look again, you’re not seeing things, Kenya have reached the finals of a football World Cup! Okay, it’s not the Harambee Stars heading to the World Cup to be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026 but still it’s great news – Kenya’s U17 Junior ‘Starlets’ have made it to Fifa’s U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The Starlets will now join 15 other countries in the Dominican Republic for the finals being held between October 16 and November 3 this year.

Victory against Burundi

Kenya’s U-17 girls’ heroes won qualificaation courtesy of a 2-0 win over Burundi yesterday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata, winning through 5-0 on aggregate having won the first leg 3-0.

Midfielders Marion Serenge (16th minute) and Valerie Nekesa (20th minute) supplied the two goals.

Sixteen countries will compete in the World Cup tournament, with Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria representing Africa. The other countries represented are the Dominican Republic (hosts), Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, England, Japan, Korean Republic, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Spain and the United States.

“Pioneering team”

The team’ head coach Mildred Cheche told Daily Nation reporter Toto Arege: “I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured for this remarkable achievement of being the pioneering team in Kenya to secure a spot in World Cup. My heartfelt congratulations go out to the players, the coaching staff and all those who stood by us throughout this incredible journey. This milestone holds tremendous significance for our nation, and we view it as a true blessing.”