Africa-Press – Kenya. Rising Starlets defender Lorine Ilavonga has rejoined the national team alongside three of her Ulinzi Starlets teammates as Kenya intensifies preparations for a decisive third-round FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Tanzania.
Ilavonga links up with forwards Quinter Adhiambo and Elizabeth Mideva, goalkeeper Velma Auma and defender Dorcas Glenda, adding experience and depth to a squad chasing a historic maiden World Cup appearance.
Several players bring top-flight experience into camp, strengthening both belief and quality within the Rising Starlets setup.
Ilavonga expressed delight at returning to the national fold and confidence in the team’s potential. “I am happy to get the call back to the national team, having featured in the Under-17, Under-20 and the senior national team. I am definitely happy to have made it again,” she said.
She acknowledged the challenge posed by Tanzania’s Tanzanite Queens, describing them as organised and purposeful. “Tanzania is not an easy side. They are a team that knows what they want. The experience I have will come in handy, and as a defender, there is a lot of work, including helping the team not concede goals and also getting the ball to the strikers to score,” Ilavonga added.
Kenya Police are represented by defenders Elizabeth Ochaka and Diana Anyango, midfielders Vidah Okeyo, Halima Imbachi and Rebecca Odato and forward Emily Morang’a, further strengthening the squad across departments.
The provisional squad also includes goalkeepers Christine Adhiambo, Mercy Akoth, Velma Abwire and Ephy Awuor. The defenders are Sharlot Atieno, Jenevive Mithel, Triza Ekesa, Dorcas Glender, Patience Asiko and Pauline Sylvia, while midfielders include Brenda Awuor, Pearl Olesi, Lornah Faith, Susan Akoth, Jerrine Adhiambo, Valarie Nekesa and Velma Awuor.
The forwards are Beffine Shalley, Quinter Mwendi, Joan Ogola, Hilder Natecho and Edna Nasipwond. Kenya will host Tanzania in the first leg on February 7 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, with kickoff set for 3:00 pm, before travelling for the return leg on February 14 at the Azam Sports Complex in Tanzania at 4:00 pm. The two-legged tie will determine who advances to the final round of qualification. Ilavonga said the qualifiers also present an important opportunity for player exposure beyond results.
“I also look forward to seeing us go to the World Cup, and it is possible. It will create visibility for players to be spotted by coaches outside Kenya. The task ahead is neither easy nor hard. With God, however, all things are possible,” she said.
Rising Starlets head coach Jackline Juma has named a 32-player provisional squad, with the team already five days into residential camp after being trimmed from an initial pool of 60 players.
Kenya head into the third round buoyed by an impressive second-round showing against Ethiopia, where they secured a 4-1 aggregate victory. After drawing 1-1 away in Addis Ababa, the Starlets produced a dominant 4-0 win in Nairobi, with goals from Nekesa, a brace by Mideva and a well-taken strike by Adhiambo highlighting the team’s attacking depth and growing maturity.
