Kenya’s New Football Star: Marion Serenge’s Road To The FIFA World Cup

Marion Serenge is on the cusp of history. As a member of the Junior Starlets, she is part of the first Kenyan team poised to compete at a FIFA World Cup....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

This milestone comes just 14 months after she was crowned the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western Region Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Currently a Form Four student at Archbishop Njenga Girls’ High School in Kakamega, Marion played a crucial role in the Junior Starlets’ journey to the World Cup. She scored one of the two goals in the team’s 2-0 home win, securing a 5-0 aggregate victory over Burundi in the final round of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

“It was my first time scoring for the national team. I was so happy that my goal helped take Kenya to the World Cup,” she says, reflecting on the achievement.

Marion’s football journey began just two years ago, encouraged by her father, Fred Serenge, who has been coaching football at Archbishop Njenga Girls for 24 years.

“It’s a unique experience being both a parent and a coach,” Fred shares. “One thing I admire about Marion is her self-drive. Initially, she wasn’t among the top players, but through her dedication to training and with my guidance, she has rapidly improved.”

The past two years have been a whirlwind for Marion, who, alongside her football career, has a passion for the French language, one of the subjects she is preparing for in her KCSE exams.

She also developed a fondness for Spain, a country she visited as part of the Talanta Hela Under-19 team, and where the Junior Starlets will train ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

“Football has transformed my life,” Marion reflects. “Being scouted in Chapa Dimba and called up to the national team was a dream come true. Now, I’m headed to the World Cup, which is beyond my wildest dreams. My next goal is to play professionally in Europe.”

Marion’s talent has brought not only recognition but also material rewards. In June 2024, she was named Kenyan Sports Personality of the Month by sports journalists and received an LG washing machine as a gift. She also upgraded her family’s TV to a 55-inch screen, much to the delight of her father.

The Serenge family boasts a rich football pedigree. Fred, a former Harambee Stars player, also had stints with AFC Leopards and Kenya Breweries FC. “I’ve developed many players and changed lives. I wanted to do the same for my daughter, Marion,” he explains.

Football runs deep in Marion’s lineage. Her grandfather played for Kenya in The Gossage Cup, the precursor to the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup. Her uncles also played for Harambee Stars, and her older brother currently plays in Kenya’s top-flight league.

With her groundbreaking achievements with the Junior Starlets, Marion now holds a special place within her family. She dreams of playing professionally in Europe after completing her high school education…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>