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New faces as Starlets face Gambia in key WAFCON qualifier
Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba reacts during their 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Botswana at Nyayo National Stadium on November 29, 2023.
Harambee Starlets defender Lorine Ilavonga is thrilled after receiving her first call-up to the national team ahead of the final round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against The Gambia later this month.
Ilavonga, a 17-year-old who plays for Ulinzi Starlets in the Football Kenya Federation Women's Premier League (FKF-WPL), has been featuring for the national team’s junior side.
She is among several players from the Under-17 Junior Starlets and Under-20 Rising Starlets whom head coach Beldine Odemba has included in her 38-player provisional squad.
The national team will host the first leg on October 24 at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. The second leg will be played four days later in Senegal, as The Gambia lacks a CAF-approved stadium. The winner on aggregate will qualify automatically for the tournament scheduled from March 17 to April 3 next year in Morocco.
“I thank God for this opportunity. It’s not easy to get a chance to play for the national team,” said Ilavonga, who joined Ulinzi last season.
She featured in her club’s 0–0 draw against Kibera Soccer Women in their season opener at Marist International School in Karen on Saturday.
Midfielder Elizabeth Muteshi, of Premier League side Trinity Starlets, is hoping to make the final cut.
Ilavonga was a member of the Junior Starlets team that made history by participating in the 2024 Under-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic last October. She later joined the Rising Starlets and contributed to their 5–1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia last month, which secured qualification for the third round of the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Other Rising Starlets graduates include goalkeeper Mercy Akoth of Premier League champions Vihiga Queens; Dorcas Neema of Kibera Soccer Women; Lavyne Ochola of Kayole Starlets; and Kikky Masika of Zetech Sparks.
Forward Sharleen Opisa (Amus College, Uganda), Charity Midewa (PalmHill Sports Club, Egypt), and Nicoline Hawa Muteshi (Iron Ladies FC) are also part of the squad. Kenya advanced by defeating Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate in February.
