Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has named a provisional 36-player squad for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers against Tunisia. The first leg will be played on Friday, February 21, 2025, in Nairobi, with the return fixture scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in Tunis.
Odemba has injected fresh talent into the squad, calling up 11 new players across key positions to strengthen the team. In the goalkeeping department, Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Soccer Girls) and Lavender Abongo (KISPED Queens) receive their first national team invitations.
The defensive lineup sees notable additions, including Benedete Atieno (KISPED Queens), Alice Mideri (Vihiga Queens), and Tabitha Amoit (Ulinzi Starlets), who previously featured for Kenya’s U20 team. They are joined by Mary Nthambi (Kenya Police Bullets) and Janet Mumo (Kibera Soccer Girls), both earning their first senior team call-ups.
In midfield, Kibera Soccer Girls’ Yvonne Idagiza joins the squad, while the attacking unit is bolstered by Faith Mboya (Kibera Soccer Girls), Catherine Khaemba (Bungoma Queens), and Emily Moranga (Kenya Police Bullets). Mboya, currently the FKF Women’s National Super League top scorer, has been in prolific form, recently netting a hat-trick on her debut for Kibera Soccer Girls.
Experienced players Leila Apiyo and Martha Amunyolet make their return to the national team, while Elizabeth Ochaka, who captained the Junior Starlets at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, earns her second senior team call-up. The squad also features FKF Women’s Premier League top scorers Catherine Khaemba (Bungoma Queens), Rebecca Okwaro (Kenya Police Bullets), and Beverline Adika (Zetech Sparks).
Preparations for the qualifiers will commence on Monday, February 10, 2025, as the team gears up for the critical two-legged encounter against Tunisia.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
- Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets)
- Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Soccer Girls)
- Lilian Awuor (Farul Constanta, Turkey)
- Lavender Abongo (KISPED Queens)
Defenders
- Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens)
- Dorcas Shikobe (Sirines of Grevena, Greece)
- Benedete Atieno (KISPED Queens)
- Elizabeth Ochaka (Kenya Police Bullets)
- Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor)
- Wincate Kaari (Simba Queens)
- Alice Mideri (Vihiga Queens)
- Leila Apiyo (Sirines of Grevena, Greece)
- Tabitha Amoit (Ulinzi Starlets)
- Enez Mango (Farul Constanta, Turkey)
- Mary Nthambi (Kenya Police Bullets)
- Janet Mumo (Kibera Soccer Girls)
Midfielders
- Corazone Aquino (Simba Queens)
- Sheril Angach (Ulinzi Starlets)
- Martha Amunyolet (Vihiga Queens)
- Lydia Akoth (Yanga Princess)
- Fasila Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets)
- Lavender Ann Akinyi (Ulinzi Starlets)
- Yvonne Idagiza (Kibera Soccer Girls)
- Cynthia Shilwatso (Besiktas, Turkey)
- Beverline Adika (Zetech Sparks)
Forwards
- Mwanalima Adam (Kansas, USA)
- Elizabeth Mideva (Archbishop Njenga)
- Tereza Engesha
- Rebecca Okwaro (Kenya Police Bullets)
- Violet Nanjala
- Elizabeth Wambui (Simba Queens)
- Jentrix Shikangwa (Simba Queens)
- Janet Bundi
- Faith Mboya (Kibera Soccer Girls)
- Catherine Khaemba (Bungoma Queens)
- Emily Moranga (Kenya Police Bullets)
The Harambee Starlets are determined to secure a spot in the 2026 WAFCON, with these qualifiers marking a crucial step toward their continental ambitions.
