Home-based Harambee Starlets players report for mini camp ahead of Wafcon
By Luke Oluoch, February 2, 2026A contingent of locally assembled Harambee Starlets players have reported to camp for the week-long minicamp as part of preparation for the upcoming the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The 23-woman squad selected by coach Bledine Odemba arrived at the stadium with the national team technical bench members taking them through their paces.
The camp, which will run from February 1 to February 6, 2026, is aimed at assessing and identifying talent that could strengthen the team ahead of the continental showpiece scheduled for March 17 to April 3, 2026.
Chance to impress
The squad comprises a number of stars who have shone in the ongoing local league and will be eager to impress the coaching staff with possibilty of earning berths in the final n sight.
Among the stars in camp are Kàyole Starlets hotshot Linda Kihara, who is currently ranked among the best scorers in the Women FKF PL race and midfielder Euphraiser Shilwatso, who recently earned her call-up to the national team fold.
Others are Medina Abubakar and her teammate, Lorna Nyabuto of the reignign Women Premier League champions, Kenya Police Bullets FC.
Coach Odemba opined that the minicamp will see players who impress added to the WAFCON provisional squad.
Additions to squad
“The mini-camp will provide the technical bench with an opportunity to closely monitor standout performers from the local leagues as they consider additions to the WAFCON provisional squad,”
The foregoing comes as CAF mulls over a new host of the continental championship slated for March, after initial hosts, Morocco, pulled out of hosting the games.
Kenya will make a return to the continental games, which they last featured in in 2016. The WAFCON showpiece doubles up as the qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers
Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets), Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Soccer Women), Juliet Adhiambo (Trinity Starlets)
Defenders
Mary Majeso (Kibera Soccer Women), Ruth Khasoha (Vihiga Queens), Sheryl Muyera (Zetech Sparks), Diana Shakava (Ulinzi Starlets), Elizabeth Muteshi (Trinity Starlets), Mercyline Mejor (Trinity Starlets), Euphraiser Shilwatso (Kayole Starlet), Mirriam Chelagat (Bungoma Queens),
Midfielders
Medina Abubakar (Kenya Police Bullets), Lorna Nyabuto (Kenya Police Bullets), Providence Mukalo (Vihiga Queens), Centrine Ngasi (Trinity Starlets) Lucy Nato (Ulinzi Starlets)
Forwards
Anna Arusi (Kibera Soccer Women), Faith Mboya (Kenya Police ), Linda Kihara (Kayole Starlet), Shaline Nambengele (Ulinzi Starlets), Catherine Khaemba (Bungoma Queens), Purity Akinyi (Shabana Starlets), Airin Madalina (Vihiga Queens)