By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Harambee Starlets left the country on Tuesday morning for Douala in Cameroon where they will play the hosts in the first leg of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)
Head coach Beldine Odemba has named 23 players who left Nairobi at 7:30 a.m. for the qualifier scheduled for Friday.
The squad features a blend of in-form local-based players and experienced foreign-based players.
Noteworthy addition to the squad is Ese Akida who makes a return to the national team for the first time since 2018. She was also part of the squad that took Kenya to the WAFCON in the same year.
Should Harambee Starlets emerge as the aggregate winners of the two-legged qualifier, they will face either Gabon or Botswana in the second round, scheduled between November 27 and December 5, 2023.
The victor of the second round will secure automatic qualification for the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, hosted in Morocco.
Starlets left a will fly back home on Sunday, September 24, 2023, in time for their second leg match on September 26, 2023. Mercy Njeri, a late call-up to the team also made the trip to Cameroon. Njeri who plays for Kenya Police Bullets was called up last week to the squad.
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)
Ends
