Local-based players carry the day as Odemba names 25-player Harambee Starlets squad for WAFCON 2026
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 01.03.26. | 08:44
The team departed on Saturday, 28 February, for the Ivory Coast, where they will play two international friendlies before heading to a pre-tournament training camp in France ahead of the continental showpiece set for Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026
Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has named a 25-player final squad that will represent Kenya at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with locally based players forming the backbone of the team.
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The squad has been trimmed to 25 players, with nine locally based call-ups released from the provisional list.
Those dropped include Medina Abubakar, Merycline Mejor, Lorna Faith, Purity Akinyi, Elizabeth Mideva, Diana Shakava, Mary Majeso, Vivian Shiyonzo, and Kayole Starlets forward Euphraiser Shilwatso.
Despite the strong local presence, the squad retains significant international experience.
Six of the 25 players ply their trade in Europe, led by goalkeeper Lilian Awuor of Farul Constanța, Romania.
The other Europe-based players are Dorcas Shikobe (Sirens of Grevena, Greece), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigücüspor, Turkey), Enez Mango (Farul Constanța, Romania), Mwanalima Adam (HK Køge, Denmark), and Violet Nanjala (United Eagle FC, Saudi Arabia).
Odemba has included 13 locally based players, with the remaining slots filled by players competing in neighboring leagues in Uganda and Tanzania.
This marks only the second appearance for Kenya at the final stage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and their return for the 14th edition of the tournament.
In their maiden outing in 2016, the Starlets finished bottom of Group B after losing 3-1 to Ghana, 3-1 to Mali, and 4-0 to Nigeria.
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Road to Morocco
The team departed on Saturday, 28 February, for the Ivory Coast, where they will play two international friendlies before heading to a pre-tournament training camp in France ahead of the continental showpiece set for Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
The Starlets will first face Benin on 2 March at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, with kick-off scheduled for 8 PM EAT.
They will then take on hosts the Ivory Coast on March 4 at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpé at 10 PM EAT.
After the friendlies, the squad will travel to Miramas, France, for a residential training camp running until March 15.
The camp will focus on tactical refinement, recovery, and team cohesion before the team proceeds to Morocco for the tournament.
Kenya will open their Group A campaign against hosts Morocco on March 17. They will then face Senegal on March 20 before concluding the group stage against Algeria on March 23.
Final 25-Player Squad
Goalkeepers
Lilian Awuor, Annedy Kundu, Juliet Adhiambo
Defenders
Ruth Ingosi, Dorcas Shikobe, Enez Mango, Vivian Nasaka, Elizabeth Ochaka, Diana Ochol, Lorine Ilavonga, Elizabeth Muteshi
Midfielders
Lydia Akoth, Vidah Akeyo, Lorna Nyarinda, Fasila Adhiambo, Martha Amunyolet, Mwanalima Adam, Shaline Nambengele
Forwards
Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui, Jentrix Shikangwa, Shalyne Opisa, Airin Madalina, Valerie Nekesa, Eglay Mukhwana