The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as the Kenya Women’s National Team, affectionately known as Harambee Starlets, gears up to take on Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in a gripping two-legged qualification round for the 2024 Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The journey kicks off with the first leg scheduled in Doula, Cameroon on Friday, September 22, 2023, followed closely by the second leg at home in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. The stakes are high, and the aggregate winners of this two-legged qualifier will advance to face either Gabon or Botswana in the second round.
Should Harambee Starlets cross the bridge in the two rounds, they will make history by qualifying for the continental tournament for a second time, having graced the stage in 2016. The winner of the second round automatically qualifies for the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, which will be hosted in Morocco.
Harambee Starlets make a return to international CAF Competitions, after Kenya’s lengthy suspension by FIFA from international football. In the first round, they eased past neighbors Sudan, with a whopping 15-1 aggregate on the two legs.
Our travelling Squad for the first leg of WAFCON qualifiers against Cameroon 🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/H89mxhj2Gl
— Harambee Starlets (@StarletsKE) September 19, 2023
This comeback is symbolic and signifies a new era for women’s football in Kenya, which has been on the rise significantly, with ardent supporters opining that the queens are more poised to be the first to make a World Cup debut ahead of the men’s team, Harambee Stars.
Under the guidance of Coach Beldine Odemba, Harambee Starlets have assembled a formidable squad of 23 players, carefully chosen for their skills and experience. The squad boasts a harmonious blend of in-form local-based talents and seasoned foreign-based players.
Travelling Squad:
Goalkeepers
Valentine Kwaka (Kenya Police Bullets FC), Annedy Kundu (Ness Atromitou FC), Caroline Rufa (Simba Queens)
Defenders
Phoebe Owiti (Vihiga Queens), Enez Mango (Farul Constanta), Wincate Kaari (Yanga Princess), Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor), Janet Moraa (Vihiga Queens), Waganda Lydia Akoth (Buja Queens), Juliet Auma (Kenya Police Bullets)
Midfielders
Cynthia Shilwatso (FC Kryvbas Women), Sheryl Angachi (Ulinzi Starlets), Vivian Corazone (Simba Queens), Mercyline Anyango (JFK Panthers), Mercy Njeri (Kenya Police Bullets).
Forwards
Jentrix Shikangwa (Beijing Jingtan FC), Elizabeth Wambui (Simba Queens), Mwanalima Adam (Hakkarigucuspor), Esse Akida (FC PAOK), Tereza Engesha (Hyundai Steel R.A), Violet Nanjala (AMLFF LAAYOUNE), Mercy Airo (Ulinzi Starlets).
