Kenya’s football future takes center stage at the CAF U17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from January 7–18, 2025.
Among the standout fixtures is an all-Kenyan derby on January 7, 2025, at 3 pm, featuring the Kenya Academy of Sports and Kenya Elite Junior Academy teams.
The Kenya Elite Junior Academy, were invited into the tournament following the withdrawal of Bahir Dar Kenema (Ethiopia). Both Kenyan teams are in Group A.
The tournament will serve as a vital platform for Kenya to identify and fine-tune the team that will represent the nation in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Kenya’s campaign kicks off in March 2025, facing either Namibia or Uganda in the second round.
Pioneering Coaches at the Helm
The Kenya Academy of Sports team will be led by Jacqueline Juma, a trailblazer in Kenyan football as one of the two CAF A-accredited female coaches in the country. Juma also made history as the first woman to coach an FKF Premier League team, FC Talanta. Her extensive experience and strategic acumen will be instrumental in shaping the team.
On the other side, the Kenya Elite Junior Academy will be guided by Mildred Cheche, the first Kenyan coach to lead a team to a FIFA World Cup. Cheche, a CAF B-certified coach, brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of nurturing young talent. Her success in qualifying the Junior Starlets for the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup adds a layer of anticipation to her team’s performance.
Building the Path to Glory
This tournament not only provides an opportunity for the players to gain international exposure but also serves as a foundation for Kenya’s long-term football aspirations.
The CAF GIFT tournament marks a crucial step in Kenya’s preparations for the World Cup qualifiers, with the players aiming to seize the moment and solidify their spots in the Junior Starlets team that will represent Kenya in the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
