Romania-based duo report to Harambee Starlets camp for WAFCON 2026 duty
By Luke Oluoch, February 25, 2026Harambee Stars’ preparation for the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has received a major boost with an additional two foreign-based stars joining the team camp on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
First-choice custodian Lilian Awuor and her Farul Constanta teammate Ezen Mango have become the latest arrivals to the team preparations at the Kasarani Stadium.
Awuor and Mango have been crucial cogs of the national team setup and fittingly earned their places in the provisional squad named by coach Beldine Odemba ahead of the competition set to kick off on March 17.
More players jet in
Their arrival comes after striker Violet Nanjala and Denmark-based Mwanahalima Adan also linked up with the team earlier in the day.
Dorcas Shikobe, Mwanahalima Adam, and the Simba Queens trio Jentrix Shikangwa, Elizabeth Wambui, and Ruth Ingosi are already in training with the team. Others in camp include Lydia Akoth of Tanzania’s Yanga Princess and a host of local players called for national duty.
Mango received her call-up for the WAFCON qualifier against Tunisia as Kenya sought to upend the West African challenge to reach the final stages of the qualifiers.
She featured alongside Awuor, who produced a man-of-the-match performance in both legs to secure Kenya’s ticket to the final rounds of the qualifiers.
Beldine Odemba’s charges ultimately got the job done after beating Gambia to claim their place in the continental championship after a nine-year wait.
Starlets pre-WAFCON itinerary
As part of Kenya’s preparation, Football Kenya Federation confirmed that the team will travel to France to ramp up their preparation for the continental games.
Via a statement on Sunday, February 22, 2026, FKF also confirmed a series of friendlies for the women’s national team ahead of the showdown in Morocco.
Starlets will face off against Benin in the first friendly on Monday, March 2, 2026, before facing the Ivorians two days later.
The team is first scheduled to depart on Saturday, February 28, 2026, for Abidjan, a couple of days before their opening test against Benin.
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