Sports

Odemba summons 23 players as Harambee Starlets kick off WAFCON preps

Luke Oluoch 29th January, 2026 06:43 PM

Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have kicked off their preparations for the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations in earnest with coach Beldine Odemba summoning a squad of 23 locally based stars this Thursday, January 29, 2026.

According to an update from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the squad, drawn from different FKF Women’s Premier League sides, will first embark on a one-week mini-camp as part of their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The camp, which runs 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.

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,” part of FKF’s statement read.

Among those handed a chance to start the journey to make the Kenyan team for the continental glory are the marauding Kayole Starlets midfielder Euphraiser Shilwatso, who recently earned her call-up to the national team fold. She joins the squad alongsider her club teammate, Linda Kihara.

Group Photo of Harambee Starlets celebrating. PHOTO/@WilliamsRuto/X

Others are Medina Abubakar of Kenya Police Bullets and her teammate, Lorna Nyabuto.

Trinity Starlets’ trio of Elizabeth Muteshi, Mercyline Mejor, and Centrine Ngasi will also have the chance to impress the coach and seal their respective berths in the team.

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)