Junior Starlets’ standout player, Susan Akoth, has been forced to leave her family home in the Korogocho slums following her participation in Kenya’s historic appearance at the U-17 FIFA World Cup.
Akoth was part of the team that represented Kenya at the tournament held in the Dominican Republic last month, marking the nation’s first-ever appearance at the global youth football event.
Her newfound fame after playing on the world stage has brought both positive and challenging changes to her life.
In a candid interview with NTV, Akoth shared that one of the most significant shifts was her decision to relocate after learning of a planned attack against her.
“I come from Korogocho, and when I returned home, I was told people were looking for me, planning to rob me because they thought I came back with a lot of money,” Akoth explained.
She went on to describe how her status within her household had changed since her return:

“Before the World Cup, I was treated like any other family member. I would be asked where I was going, and I had to do my share of chores. But now, after coming back, I feel like a VIP. There are no more arguments, and everything has been much more peaceful.”
Though Kenya’s Junior Starlets faced tough competition, losing their opening matches to England and North Korea, they made history by securing a win over Mexico in their final match, leaving a lasting legacy on the global stage.