Kenyan football history is set to be rewritten, and at the forefront of this journey is Elizabeth Ochaka, the captain of the Harambee Starlets U17 team.
Ochaka led the Kenyan U17 side to qualify for the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, a monumental achievement for the country as this will be the first time a Kenyan ladies’ team graces the global stage at this level.
Also Read: Namibia v Kenya H2H Stats
The central defender, who also plies her trade with FKF Women Premier League side Kenya Police Bullets FC, has already made a name for herself both domestically and regionally.
She was a key part of the squad that finished second in the just concluded CAF Women Champions League CECAFA Zone Qualifiers, narrowly missing out on the title after a hard-fought loss to Ethiopia’s CBE.
Currently in a residential camp with the Harambee Starlets U17 squad, Ochaka and her teammates are laser-focused on their preparations for the upcoming World Cup. The team will head to Spain for a pre-World Cup camp on September 19th, a crucial step before they travel to the Dominican Republic for the main event.
In an interview, Ochaka has shared her thoughts on the team’s historic qualification; “Qualifying for the World Cup is a huge achievement, especially being the first Kenyan team to do it in the world of football. We don’t take this chance for granted. Our goal is to go there and compete, not just participate.”
She also emphasized how this tournament could be a life-changing opportunity for the players; “Playing at the World Cup will bring us many opportunities like getting scouted to play for international teams, which has always been a dream for many of us.”
The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, set to run from October 16 to November 3, 2024, presents an exciting challenge for Ochaka and her team. The Junior Starlets will face a tough group, starting their campaign against European powerhouses England on October 18, before taking on Korea DPR on October 20. Their group-stage matches will conclude with a clash against Mexico on October 24.
As Ochaka leads her team into uncharted territory, she stands as a symbol of hope and progress for Kenyan women’s football. Her leadership and vision on the field have already made a difference, and now, with the world’s eyes on the Harambee Starlets U17, she and her teammates are poised to inspire a new generation of footballers back home.
Also Read: Harambee Stars probable line up v Namibia