Harambee Starlets set for Cote d’Ivoire friendlies
Harambee Starlets goalkeeper Lilian Awuor (left) poses for a photo with defender Enez Mango after their victory over Tunisia in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualifiers at the Sousse Olympic Stadium on February 26, 2025.
What you need to know:
- On March 6, Kenya climbed seven places in the Fifa rankings, moving from 149th to 142nd, while Cote d'Ivoire are ranked 71st.
Harambee Starlets are set to depart the country on Tuesday for Abidjan for two international friendlies against Cote d'Ivoire during the FIFA Women’s International break, which runs from March 31 to April 8.
On Monday, head coach Beldine Odemba named a 23-woman squad for the friendlies, which will serve as preparation for Kenya’s crucial 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) final round qualifier against The Gambia.
The first leg will be played in Kenya on October 20, with the return fixture in Gambia on October 28.
In their previous qualifier against Tunisia, the Starlets drew 0-0 at home on February 21 before securing a 1-0 victory in Tunisia five days later. Tereza Engesha’s early third-minute goal sealed Kenya’s progression.
Odemba, who also coaches the Under-20 Rising Starlets, has made a few additions to the squad that faced Tunisia, bringing in defenders Ann Norah and Vivian Nasaka, as well as strikers Lucy Kwekwe and Faith Mboya.
Nasaka, initially called up for the Tunisia tie, missed out due to an injury at her Greek club, while Mboya was omitted from the final Tunisia squad but now gets a chance to prove herself.
However, captain Dorcas Shikobe is unavailable after sustaining an injury while playing for her Greek club, Sirines.
The squad features both local and foreign-based players.
"These friendlies will allow us to evaluate our progress and identify areas for improvement. I’ve made minimal changes to the squad from the Tunisia camp to assess where we stand," Odemba stated on the FKF website.
"It's unfortunate we'll miss Dorcas Shikobe due to injury. I wish her a speedy recovery."
On March 6, Kenya climbed seven places in the Fifa rankings, moving from 149th to 142nd, while Cote d'Ivoire are ranked 71st.
Harambee Starlets' Squad:
Goalkeepers: Annedy Kundu, Lilian Awuor
Defenders: Enez Mango, Janet Mumo, Ruth Ingosi, Tabitha Amoit, Wincate Kaari, Ann Norah, Vivian Nasaka
Midfielders: Corazone Aquino, Cynthia Shilwatso, Fasila Adhiambo, Lavender Akinyi, Lydia Akoth, Sheryl Angach
Forwards: Mwanalima Adam, Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui, Rebecca Okwaro, Lucy Kwekwe, Jentrix Shikangwa, Tereza Engesha, Faith Mboya