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Starlets play Benin today in warm up for 2026 Wafcon
Harambee Starlets players celebrate a goal against the Gambia in a first leg match of the final round of 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Nyayo National Stadium on October 24, 2025.
What you need to know:
- After the two friendlies, Starlets will then head to Miramas, southern France, for training camp before heading to Morocco on March15 for Wafcon.
- Starlets will play in Group ‘A’, where they will start their campaign with a match against Morocco on March 17 at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
Harambee Starlets play Benin in an international friendly match today at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire from 8pm (Kenyan time).
Tonight’s match, and another planned against hosts Cote d’Ivoire at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpé from 10pm on Wednesday, will help Kenya prepare for the 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), to be played in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
The 16-nation tournament will be hosted in three major cities, Rabat, Fez, and Casablanca. After the two friendly matches, Starlets will then head to Miramas, southern France, for training camp before heading to Morocco on March15 for Wafcon.
Starlets will play in Group ‘A’, where they will start their campaign with a match against Morocco on March 17 at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, followed by a match against Senegal on March 20 at the same venue. Kenya will finish the group stage action against Algeria on March 23 at the Al Medina Stadium, Rabat.
Coached by Beldine Odemba, the 25-player squad left Nairobi on Saturday morning and arrived in Abidjan the same day. The team had attended a three-week residential training camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Starlets return to Wafcon after a decade, having last competed in the tournament in 2016 when Cameroon hosted it.
Starlets squad blends youth with experience. New faces in the team include goalkeeper Juliet Adhiambo, defender Diana Ochol, midfielders Vidah Okeyo and Shaline Nambengele, and forward Eglay Mukhwana.
Experienced players in the squad are goalkeepers Lilian Awuor and Annedy Kundu, defenders Ruth Ingosi (assistant captain), Dorcas Shikobe (captain), Enez Mango, Vivian Nasaka, Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, and Elizabeth Muteshi.
The midfielders are Lydia Akoth, Vidah Akeyo, Lorna Nyarinda, Fasila Adhiambo, Martha Amunyolet, and Mwanalima Adam.
The team’s attack will be spearheaded by Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui, Jentrix Shikangwa, Shalyne Opisa, Airin Madalina, and Valerie Nekesa.
Odemba had initially named a 34-member provisional squad, incorporating young stars from the Kenya Under-20 (Rising Starlets) and Under-17 (Junior Starlets)players, before trimming the squad to 25.
