•They have been replaced by new call-ups who will now have an opportunity to prove their mettle on the international stage on their maiden duty for the nation.
•Odemba, who doubles up as Harambee Starlets' head coach, threw down the gauntlet to the new inclusions to leverage the chance they have been given.
Image: HANDOUT
The Kenya Under-20 women’s national team, Rising Starlets, coach Beldine Odemba, has allayed concerns that the absence of eight regulars from the squad could negatively impact their campaign.
Odemba spoke after naming a 35-member provisional squad for the upcoming two-legged 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon scheduled for this month.
The eight players are among thousands of Form Four students sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
They have been replaced by new call-ups who will now have an opportunity to prove their mettle on the international stage on their maiden duty for the nation.
Odemba, who doubles up as Harambee Starlets' head coach, threw down the gauntlet to the new inclusions to leverage the chance they have been given.
“We’ll miss eight players in this round as they will sit for their KCSE exams, including our captain Jane Hato. While their absence does pose a challenge, it’s an opportunity for eight new talents to shine," Odemba said.
"This new blood will hopefully integrate seamlessly with the team, and we’ll have a fresh face stepping into the captain’s role. We’ll work hard to overcome this hurdle in the upcoming round and hopefully, in the next round, we will emerge with a stronger, more resilient team,” she added.
Odemba's charges are expected in camp on Friday ahead of their planned trip to Yaounde on November 9, where they will clash with the hosts in the first leg of the qualifiers at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo on Saturday, November 11.
They head into the next round buoyed by a scintillating first-round performance, where they romped past Angola with a resounding 10-1 aggregate win.
The winner of the tie will face the winner of the fourth and final round, pitting Congo against Egypt.
The Rising Starlets have a chance to qualify for the 2024 Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia if they advance past the stage.
Provisional Squad—Goalkeepers: Scovia Awuor (Kobala Secondary), Christine Omolo (Butere Girls), Velma Abwire (Wiyeta Sec. School); Defenders: Rebecca Kwoba (Zetech Sparks), Rachel Adhiambo (Acakoro), Dorcas Glender (Butere), Judith Nandwa (Butere), Ruth Akinyi (Nasokol .) Charity Luhavi (Wiyeta), Ann Brenda Ochieng ( Macmillan Queens), Christine Imbenzi (Soccer Assassins), Christine Achieng (Jera Sec. Sch), Tabitha Amoit (Wadadia FC), Lavender Waswa (Bungoma Queens), Redemption Mercy (Kobala), Wendy Awino (Kobala); Midfielders: Clotilda Auma (Butere Girls), Elizabeth Muteshi (Nakuru City Queens), Hellen Mito (Soccer Assassins), Mary Akeyo (Lwak Girls), Vanesa Wangari (Gaspo Women), Sunira Manda Were (Moi Girls, Eldoret), Eunice Nabwoba (Wiyeta ), Juliet Kimberly Diego (St. Christopher’s International School); Forwards: Valerie Leah Nekesa (Soccer Assassins), Charity Midewa (Soccer Assassins), Anna Nabwire Arusi (Zetech Sparks), Elizabeth Mideva (Arch Bishop Njenga), Mollvine Achieng (KISPED), Lilian Mutanu (Gaspo Women), Sharlyne Opisa (Amus College), Fasila Odhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets), Emily Okute (Gaspo Women), Siplenda Mmboga (Kobala Secondary).