The future of Kenyan football was in full display at the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA), as the Junior Starlets and their head coach Mildred Cheche clinched the Team of the Year and Coach of the Year accolades, respectively. The Rising Stars finished as first runners-up in the Team of the Year men’s category.
The Junior Starlets made history in 2024 by becoming the first Kenyan team to qualify for a FIFA Women’s World Cup. The U17 girls national team’s spirited performances in the qualifiers earned them a ticket to the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, capturing the hearts of the nation and inspiring a new generation of young girls.
Additionally, head coach Mildred Cheche, who guided the Starlets through a rigorous qualification path, was honored as Coach of the Year, a nod to her trailblazing journey.
The Kenya U20 men’s national team, Rising Stars, capped off a strong year by finishing as runners-up at the U20 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers in Tanzania. Their runner-up finish earned them a coveted slot in the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
The recognition at SOYA underscores FKF’s long-term investment in youth football, with both the Junior Starlets and Rising Stars proving that Kenya can be a force in international competitions with the right support and vision.
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