Why Kenya’s Velma Awuor is unfazed by the prospect of facing England, North Korea and Mexico in their debut U-17 World Cup tournament.
As the Junior Starlets prepare to make their historic debut in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, forward Velma Awuor is brimming with confidence.
Kenya’s under-17 side is set to face England at 2:00 AM EAT on Friday at the Estadio Cibao in the Dominican Republic, marking a monumental moment for Kenyan football.
The Starlets, drawn into Group C, will face stiff competition from England, Mexico, and North Korea. Despite the challenging line-up, Awuor, a talented midfielder from Nyakach Girls Secondary School, has promised to bring the same fire that saw Kenya triumph in the World Cup Qualifiers against Ethiopia and Burundi, with aggregate victories of 3-0 and 5-0, respectively.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Awuor made it clear that their goal is nothing short of topping Group C and, if possible, securing a podium finish. “Kenya is going there as underdogs, so there’s this notion that we are weak. They won’t believe it,” she said, oozing self-assurance.
Awuor and her teammates have meticulously analysed their group stage opponents and are not daunted by the task ahead. “We’ve scrutinised the teams, and they’re not as imposing as people think,” she added.
For Awuor, playing in the World Cup is a dream come true, one she never imagined achieving at such a young age. “It feels great. I used to hear about Brazil, England, and France during World Cup matches, but never thought I’d be playing at that level myself. This is a huge achievement, and we’ve made history,” she said, beaming with pride.
With scouts expected to attend in large numbers, Awuor plans to showcase her best performance in the hopes of landing a professional football deal. Her passion for football extends beyond playing—Awuor aspires to one day become either a top-level tactician or a FIFA-recognised referee.
“I feel great because I’m benefiting from these games. I hope we’ll win all of them and not lose a single match. We have to push ourselves,” Awuor stated, her resolve evident.
Her personal ambitions include scoring at least two goals, with confidence that her teammates, including Lorna, will contribute the rest. “We’ve done our video analysis, and they’re not that good. England must bleed and lose by three goals or more. We also don’t fear North Korea. If it comes to it, we’ll settle for a draw, but we don’t want that.”
She also sees the tournament as a stepping stone towards her future, with the hopes of securing a professional move abroad after the World Cup. “This could change everything for me. I want to come back and finish my exams, then hopefully secure a deal that will allow me to help my family and friends, who aren’t in the best financial situation.”
Awuor credits the team’s success to their dedication and faith. “We’re so grateful to God because we wouldn’t be here without Him. The pressure the coaches have put on us has pushed us to the next level.”
As Kenya prepares for their first-ever match in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Awuor’s determination and belief in her team’s abilities shine through, promising an exciting performance on the global stage.
