Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has emphasised the importance of integrating junior players into the senior squad to enhance competition as the team prepares for their first-round match against Tunisia in this month's 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier.
Speaking at Kasarani Annex Stadium in Nairobi on Monday, Odemba highlighted the need for a steady flow of fresh talent to maintain high performance levels.
"I have talked to the newly called-up players, reminding them that the call-up is a result of their hard work, and they must continue learning and improving with each passing day," said Odemba, a CAF B-licensed coach.
The first leg will be played at Nairobi’s Ulinzi Sports Complex on February 21, with the return match scheduled for February 26 in Tunis.
Last Tuesday, Odemba, who also serves as the head coach of the Under-20 Rising Starlets, named a provisional 36-player squad in preparation for the Tunisia fixture. The squad features 11 new faces, strengthening all positions.
Among the newcomers are goalkeepers Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Soccer Women) and Lavender Abongo (Kisped Queens), who join seasoned shot-stoppers Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets) and Lilian Awuor (Farul Constanta, Romania).
The defensive line includes new call-ups Benedete Atieno (Kisped), Alice Mideri (Vihiga Queens), Tabitha Amoit (Ulinzi Starlets), Mary Nthambi (Kenya Police Bullets), and Janet Mumo (Kibera). They join familiar names like team captain Ruth Ingotsi (Simba Queens), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor, Turkey), and Enez Mango (Farul Constanta, Romania).
In midfield, key foreign-based players Corazone Aquino (Simba Queens), Lydia Akoth (Yanga Princess), Fasilah Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets), and Cynthia Shilwatso (Besiktas, Turkey) bring experience and stability.
The forward line welcomes debutants Faith Mboya (Kibera), Catherine Khaemba (Bungoma Queens), and Emily Moranga (Kenya Police Bullets), who will line up alongside established attackers Mwanahalima Jereko (Kansas City, USA), Violet Nanjala (Municipal de Laayoune, Morocco), Janet Bundi (National Bank of Egypt), and Elizabeth Wambui (Simba Queens).
The squad also includes defender Elizabeth Ochaka (Kenya Police Bullets), who captained the Under-17 Junior Starlets at the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Odemba expressed confidence in Kibera striker Faith Mboya, whose goal-scoring prowess in the National Women Super League (NWSL) and FKF Women Premier League has impressed.
"We have 11 new players in the provisional squad, among them striker Mboya from Kibera. She is a playmaker and scorer I've watched a lot. She scored 15 goals in the first half of the NWSL season before joining Kibera mid-season and has already scored seven goals in two FKF Women Premier League matches. Her qualities will enhance our existing strikers," noted Odemba.
As of Monday, 21 players had reported to camp, with five more expected to join in the second training session on Tuesday. An additional 10 players will link up with the team after the FIFA transfer window opens on February 17 and closes on February 26.
Odemba remains optimistic about the team’s chances against Tunisia despite the North Africans' superior ranking.
"Our first match is at home, and we need to focus on scoring and attacking. While Tunisia is ranked higher due to consistent FIFA window participation, we intend to maximize our opportunities and challenge them," she added.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Kenya and Tunisia. The 151st-ranked Starlets last played at WAFCON in 2016, while 78th-ranked Tunisia featured in the 2022 edition.
