National Under-18 girls’ team head coach Maurice Okello Okumu believes Kenya has the potential to compete on the global stage if the Current youth team is nurtured.
Speaking in China after Kenya’sU-18 girls team won silver at the just concluded International Schools Sports Federation (ISF) Football World Cup at the Souyuwan Stadium in Dalian, China, Okumu said the girls have what it takes to make Kenya proud on the global stage if well guided.
“I believe we have great players with bright future in this national U-18 girls' team. They lived up to expectations here in China and I am sure if we expose them to such high-intensity matches, they will be the future,” said Okumu.
Kenya won silver after losing to the hosts 6-4 on post-match penalties following a one-all draw in regulation time. Okumu said: “I am very satisfied with the girls’ performance.
They gave their best despite being considered underdogs coming to the tournament. Every win motivated them and they deserve their flowers,” he said.
He said the majority of the players will team up with the rest ahead of the U-17 Fifa Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Kenyan girls maintained an unbeaten run, beating Germany 1-0, England 2-1 and holding Ghana to a 2-all draw to top the table by seven points to proceed into the semis.
Kenya defeated Brazil 3-1 in the semis with Elizabeth Mideva, Michelle Waithera and Clotilda Auma scoring to book a final date with China. In the boys’ category, Kenya was eliminated in the semis.
