I've not quit active football, says new Under 20 coach Anne Aluoch

Harambee Starlets captain Ann Aluoch is expected to name the 20 players who will form the inaugural national women’s under 20 team.

The team of 40 players has been training at the Moi Girls High School in Eldoret under the guidance of Aluoch where she is expected to name her squad on Friday.

The players were scouted mostly from secondary school ball games, and those who will make the shortlist are expected to represent Kenya in a tournament in the Kingdom of Jordan in September.

Speaking to Nation Sport on phone from Eldoret, Aluoch she was elated to have been entrusted with task of leading the national team, although she was quick to add that she has not quit active football yet.

“I accepted this role because I thought it would be good for the young players to be under a female coach and also because I believe it is a good platform for me to launch my coaching career,” said Aluoch.

“It doesn’t mean that I have retired. I still want to play for the national team and for my club so this shouldn’t be misconstrued to mean I am quitting the game.”

“We have been here for five days now and I have seen players who are really talented and determined to advance their football careers.”

READY TO ASSIST

Aluoch, who captained Kenya to the Africa Women’s Cup of Nation in Cameroon last year, has former Makolanders midfielder Jackline Akoth assisting her with the selection process.

It is not clear who between the two will be entrusted to lead the team after the selection process.

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa on Tuesday said the coach will be named from the two.

Mwendwa says that the junior team is the federation’s first step in supporting the development of the women’s game by creating a pool of players from the grassroots and having women take up leadership positions within those teams.

“We are ready to assist them to grow in their positions as they head the junior team’s technical bench, and I believe it will not be long before we begin to reap the fruits of this investment,” Mwendwa said.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Dinah Tebesi (Wiyeta Girls), Lizzy Auma (Sindo Girls), Lavender Abuongo (Nginda Girls), Judith Osimbo (Nyakach Girls), Regina Shehe (St Johns Kaloleni) Lilian Awuor (Nyakach Girls)

Defenders

Shahim Mohamed (St Pauls Abwao), Leah Cherotich (Wiyeta Girls), Faith Othuon (Sindo Girls), Edha Ochuodho (Sindo Girls), Deborah Leokoe (Kirangara Girls), Valary Karisa (St Johns Kaloleni), Ida Akoth (Nginda Girls), Phoebe Oketch (Magadi Secondary), Harriet Mola (Sindo Girls), Linda Adhiambo (St Johns Kaloleni), Mary Wambui (Nginda Girls)

Midfielders

Stella Onyango (Wiyeta Girls), Elizabeth Katungwa (St Johns Kaloleni), Tina Turner (St Pauls Abwao), Brenda Achieng (St Pauls Abwao), Rachel Mwema (Nginda Girls), Martha Karami (Wiyeta Girls), Irene Kasache (Nginda Girls), Winfred Achieng (St Johns Kaloleni), Nuru Hadima Mustafa (St Johns Kaloleni), Corazone Aquino (Soccer Queens), Sherryl Angach (Olympic High), Rhoda Mbithe (Gaspo), Mercy Airo (Nyakach Girls)

Attackers

Cynthia Akinyi (Nyakach Girls), Teresia Lundu (Nyakach Girls), Lucy Akoth Achieng (St Pauls Abwao), Maureen Khakasa (Wiyeta Girls), Ondenyo Kemunto (Sindo Girls), Faith Karwithia (Kirangara Girls), Christina Kitalu (Nginda Girls), Amina Randu (St Johns Kaloleni), Diana Achieng (St Pauls Abwao), Christine Awuor (St Pauls Abwao)