Buzzing Sparks ace Nabwire backs Rising Starlets to knock out Angola

Zetech Sparks forward Anne Nabwire is upbeat Kenya U-20 Women’s National team Rising Starlets will defeat Angola in the upcoming two-legged second round 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier this month.

Nabwire was among 30 players squad named by the head coach Beldine Odemba last week.

Starlets reported to camp at Kasarani on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in preparation for the first leg at home on Sunday followed by the second leg in Angola on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

Speaking to Citizen Digital Nabwire expressed excitement after earning the call up saying she will fight for a starting berth despite tough competition in the forward line.

“I’m very happy being called to the National team and it’s every player's dream.

“It is something that I didn’t expect at all but I believe it has arrived due to my work rate.

“I have had a very good season at Zetech and the zeal and determination in me coupled with the belief is what made the coach pick me.

This is Nabwire’s second stint with the national team after her initial call-up in 2019 when was in form two at Bishop Njenga High School.

“We are preparing well and as players, we are mentally prepared for the match. We have a positive mind of winning against Angola home and away something which coach herself believes will come to pass.”

Nabwire will battle will battler Elizabeth Mideva (Arch Bishop Njenga), Fasila Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets), Valerie Nekesa (Soccer Assassins), Faith Naliaka (Bukhaywa Secondary School), Marion Serenge (Arch Bishop Njenga), Charity Midewa (Soccer Assassins) and Emily Okute (Gaspo Women) for a starting slot.

The Angolan national team is expected to jet into the country later this week with the winner of the tie on aggregate to face the winner of the second-round tie pitting Cameroon and Botswana.

Goalkeepers

Nelly Achieng (Soccer Assassins), Judith Okumu (Butere Girls), Scovia Awuor (Sigtuna Football Academy), Christine Omolo (Butere Girls)

Dorcas Glenda (Red Commandos), Ruth Akinyi (Nasokol Girls), Charity Luhavi (Wiyeta Girls), Mollyne Akinyi (Acakoro), Velma Kaveza (Itigo girls), Purity Awino (Nairobi Starlets), Anne Brenda Achieng (Macmillan Queens), Elizabeth Ochaka (Butere Girls)

Clotilda Auma (Butere Girls), Hellen Auma (Soccer Assassins), Jane Hato (Soccer Assassins), Susan Akoth (Acakoro), Jerrine Adhiambo (Soccer Assassins), Faith Atieno (Soccer Assassins), Anno Halima Dima (Kayole Starlet), Elizabeth Muteshi (Nakuru City Queens), Rebecca Kwoba (Zetech Sparks), Rachel Adhiambo (Acakoro)

Elizabeth Mideva (Arch Bishop Njenga), Fasila Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets), Valerie Nekesa (Soccer Assassins), Faith Naliaka (Bukhaywa Secondary School), Anne Nabwire (Zetech Sparks), Marion Serenge (Arch Bishop Njenga), Charity Midewa (Soccer Assassins), Emily Okute (Gaspo Women).