Harambee Starlets start training for Albania friendly

• Starlets started training on Thursday evening
• The team will play Albania in a friendly match in April
• This will be their first international match in 18 months

National women’s football team Harambee Starlets have started non-residential training ahead of a friendly match against Albania on April 11 in Tirana. This will be the women’s team first international match since their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan in 2021.

The team ended up not playing their last qualifier for the Cup of Nations due to the looming suspension from world football governing body FIFA for government interference.

The team is now set for a return to the international stage in a friendly match, as the rebuild starts.

Starlets Coach Godfrey Oduor has named the provisional squad for the friendly game which will be played in the Albanian capital of Tirana. Oduor was handed over the reins of the national team by the Federation after former coach Charles Okere, who is ow the Tusker FC Youth team’s coach, declined to take back the role.

The squad called by Oduor features a blend of in-form local-based players and experienced foreign-based players.

Among the familiar faces in the squad is the return of striker Esse Akida who plays her club football in Greece. Akida has been out of the national team for close to four years. She was instrumental in kenya’s qualification to their first ever Women’s Cup of Nations in 2018.

Rebuilding has started

After more than a year in the cold, the Coach says this squad is about rebuilding.

“We are happy to have the girls back. We want to start moving this team forward, it’s time to get back to work so that we can realize the immense potential of this team, ” said Harambee Starlets Coach Godfrey Oduor.

Desma Nyawade and Maximila Robi who play for Kisped Queens and Kibera Soccer in the FKF Women’s Division One have received their first call-ups.

Monalizer Anyango from Zetech Sparks, Ketsi Ngaira from Ulinzi Starlets, and Valentine Khwaka from in-form side Gaspo Women have also received their first international call-ups.

Turkish side trio Mwanahalima Adam (Hakkarigucuspor), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor), and Phoebe Owiti (Hakkarigucuspor) together with the Simba Queens trio Jentrix Shikangwa, Vivian Corazone, and Ruth Ingosi are also in the squad.

Cynthia Shilwatso who recently moved to Ukraine from Tanzania, signing for Kryvbas Women also made the squad alongside Kenya one Annedy Kundu (Rea Women FC) and Lilian Awuor (ASL Soyaux Charente) in the goalkeeping department.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Valentine Khwaka (Gaspo Women), Diana Tembesi (Vihiga Queens), Annedy Kundu (Rea Women FC), Lilian Awuor (ASJ Soyaux Charente)

Defenders

Christine Awuor (Zetech Sparks), Lupemba Bilonda (Thika Queens), Stellah Mulongo (Nakuru Queens), Dorcas Shikobe (Sethu), Enez Mango (Farul Constanta), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor), Phoebe Owiti (Hakkarigucuspor), Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens), Wincate Kaari (Yanga Princess).

Midfielders

Merceline Wayodi (Vihiga Queens), Ketsia Ngaira (Ulinzi Starlets), Monalizer Anyango (Zetech Sparks), Sheryl Angachi (Ulinzi Starlets), Mercylne Anyango (Batumi women- Georgia), Lorna Nyarinda (Thika Queens), Maximila Robi (Kibera Soccer), Janet Moraa (Vihiga Queens), Elizabeth Wambui (Gaspo Women), Violet Nanjala (Association Municipal de Layaauone Football Feminine), Vivian Corazone (Simba Queens), Cynthia Shilwatso (Kryvbas Women),

Forwards

Monica Etot (Kisumu Allstarlets), Desma Nyawade (Kisped Queens), Jentrix Shikangwa (Simba Queens), Mwanalima Adam (Hakkarigucuspor), Esse Akida (FC PAOK), Tereza Engesha (Hyundai Steek R.A), Purity Alukwe (Zetech Sparks), Marjoleen Nekesa(SK Slavia Praha).