Harambee Starlets name 38-player provisional squad for WAFCON qualifier against Gambia

Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has unveiled a 38-player provisional squad ahead of Kenya’s two-legged 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against the Gambia later this month.

The Starlets will kick off their campaign at home on Friday, October 24, 2025, when they host the Gambians at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm. The return leg will be staged four days later, on Tuesday, October 28, at the Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal.

Odemba’s selection blends youth and experience, with several fresh faces earning maiden call-ups as the tactician seeks to fortify key areas of the squad.

Among the new inclusions is Mercy Akoth, the highly-rated Vihiga Queens goalkeeper, who gets her first chance at senior international football. The defensive unit has also been reinforced with the arrivals of Dorcas Neema (Kibera Soccer Women), Lavyne Ochola (Kayole Starlet), Kikky Masika (Zetech Sparks), and Lorine Ilavonga, who graduated from the Rising Starlets, Kenya’s U20 women’s team.

In midfield, Odemba has promoted Elizabeth Muteshi, another Rising Starlets graduate, while Keziah Ngairah makes a return to the squad, bringing valuable experience and stability to the engine room.

The attacking department sees the introduction of Shirleen Opisa and Charity Midewa, both rising talents from the U20 setup, alongside Nicoline Hawa Muteshi, the 2024/25 FKF Women Division One Golden Boot winner with Iron Ladies FC, who earns her first senior call-up.

The players are expected to report to camp on Sunday, October 5, 2025, to begin intensive preparations for the qualifiers.

Kenya will be hoping to make a triumphant return to the continental stage, having last featured at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2016.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets), Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Girls Soccer), Lilian Awuor (Farul Constanta, Turkey), Mercy Akoth (Vihiga Queens)

Defenders

Lorine Ilavonga (Ulinzi Starlets), Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens), Dorcas Neema (Kibera Soccer Women), Tabitha Amoit (Ulinzi Starlets), Dorcas Shikobe (Sirens of Grevena, Greece), Norah Ann (Kenya Police Bullets), Enez Mango (Farul Constanta, Turkey), Leah Andiema (Kenya Police Bullets), Lavyne Ochola (Kayole Starlet), Janet Mumo (Kibera Soccer Women), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor), Kikky Masika (Zetech Sparks),

Midfielders

Lydia Akoth (Yanga Princess), Medina Abubakar (Kenya Police Bullets), Corazone Aquino (Simba Queens), Diana Wacera (Kenya Police Bullets), Sheryl Angach (Ulinzi Starlets), Martha Amnyolet (Vihiga Queens), Elizabeth Muteshi (Trinity Starlets), Beverlyn Adika (Zetech Sparks), Keziah Ngaira (Ulinzi Starlets), Lavender Ann (Ulinzi Starlets), Fasila Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets)

Other Topics To Read

• Football
• Harambee Starlets
• WAFCON Qualifier
• WAFCON 2026
• Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba
• Harambee Starlets name 38-player provisional squad for WAFCON qualifier against Gambia
• Sports

Forwards

Mwanalima Adam (HB Koge, Denmark), Charity Midewa (PalmHill Sports Club, Egypt), Diana Cherono (Vihiga Queens), Tereza Engesha (Wuhan Giangda, China), Faith Mboya (Kibera Soccer Women), Catherine Khaemba (Bungoma Queens), Tumaini Waliaula (Sirens of Grevena), Violet Nanjala (United Eagles FC, Saudi Arabia), Elizabeth Wambui (Simba Queens), Shirleen Opisa (Amus College, Uganda), Nicoline Hawi Muteshi (Iron Ladies FC)