Kenya U17 team has also been nominated for the women national team of the year award alongside Cameroon U20, Malawi, Morocco, Morocco U20, Nigeria, Nigeria U17, Nigeria U20, South Africa and Zambia.
Kenya U17 and U20 Junior Starlets forward Valarie Nekesa has been nominated for this years CAF Young Player of the Year (Women) at the CAF 2024 Awards.
The Madira Girls High School student has had an exceptional year, representing both Harambee Starlets U20 and U17 together with appearing with her school at the Kenya Women Premier League.
Nekesa played a crucial role in helping the U 17 team for the FIFA World Cup in Dominican Republic, marking the first time a Kenyan team has featured in the competition.
At the World Cup, She made history becoming the first Kenyan to score in the tournament. She scored the opening goal in Kenya’s 2 – 1 victory against Mexico and also set up Lorna Faith for the second goal.
Nekesa will compete for the prestigious award against other talented nominees, including Cathy Biya and Naomi Eto from Cameroon, Habiba Sabry from Egypt, Stella Nyamekye from Ghana, Doha El Madani and Lina Jamayi from Morocco, Chiamaka Okwochukwu and Flourish Sebastian from Nigeria and Nthabiseng Majiya of South Africa.
Kenya U17 team has also been nominated for the women national team of the year award alongside Cameroon U20, Malawi, Morocco, Morocco U20, Nigeria, Nigeria U17, Nigeria U20, South Africa and Zambia.