Harambee Starlets Coach Beldine Odemba has named the provisional squad for the upcoming 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) first-round qualification match against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses.
Starlets are set to take on Cameroon on Friday 22 September on the road before playing in Nairobi four days later
Odemba, who served as the Junior Starlets coach earlier this year comes in to lead the team in place of Godfrey ‘Solo’ Oduor who resigned without taking charge of a single game.
The squad features a blend of in-form local-based players and experienced foreign-based players.
Noteworthy additions to the squad are Soccer Assassins’ teenage forward Valerie Leah Nekesa and Kenya Police Bullets defender Quinter Owiti, who earned their first senior call-ups after showcasing their prowess in the Junior Starlets squad.
Joining the squad for the first time are Bunyore Starlets’ forward Airin Madalina, Lavender Atieno, and Simba Queens goalkeeper Caroline Rufa.
Making a comeback to Harambee Starlets is SK Slavia Praha midfielder Marjolene Nekesa Ulinzi Starlets Mercy Airo and FC PAOK forward Esse Akida.
Ulinzi Starlet’s Cindy Ngaira and Valentine Khwaka from Kenya Police Bullets have retained their spot in the national team receiving their second call-up.
The team reports to camp on Sunday 10 September 2023.
If Starlets edge Cameroon in the first round, they will take on the winner between Gabon and Botswana with the winner in the second round sealing a ticket to the main event set to be held in Morocco.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Valentine Khwaka (Kenya Police Bullets FC), Annedy Kundu (Ness Atromitou FC), Caroline Rufa (Simba Queens)
Defenders
Christine Awuor (Zetech Sparks), Lavender Atieno Okeyo (Kenya Police Bullets FC), Phoebe Owiti (Vihiga Queens), Dorcas Shikobe (Sirines of Grevena), Enez Mango (Farul Constanta), Wincate Kaari (Yanga Princess), Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor), Quinter Owiti (Kenya Police Bullets FC), Janet Moraa (Vihiga Queens).
Midfielders
Cynthia Shilwatso (FC Kryvbas Women), Sheryl Angachi (Ulinzi Starlets), Ketsia Ngaira (Ulinzi Starlets), Vivian Corazone (Simba Queens), Marjolene Nekesa(SK Slavia Praha), Mercyline Anyango (JFK Panthers).
Forwards
Jentrix Shikangwa (Beijing Jingtan FC), Topista Situma (Fountain Gates Princess), Elizabeth Wambui (Simba Queens), Mwanalima Adam (Hakkarigucuspor), Airin Madalina (Bunyore Starlets), Esse Akida (FC PAOK), Tereza Engesha (Hyundai Steel R.A), Purity Alukwe (Kenya Police Bullets FC), Violet Nanjala (AMLFF LAAYOUNE), Valerie Leah Nekesa (Soccer Assassins), Mercy Airo (Ulinzi Starlets)
