Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba says she is excited at the inclusion of youngsters as well as 11 new faces into the squad that begins preparation for the opening round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Among the young players named in the preliminary squad include defender Elizabeth Ochaka, who captained Kenya to her first ever Under-17 Women’s World Cup as well as Elizabeth Mideva and Fasila Adhiambo who have all been part of Kenya’s Under-20 squad last year.

In an interview with Telecomasia.net, the coach says she wants to start building a team for the future, and that plan includes inducting them into the senior ranks early enough.

“I have always wanted to build a conveyer belt that can give us a competitive team in the next five or so years and the best way to do this is to start by infusing them into the squad early enough. We want them to come in and gain valuable experience and also compete for a place in the team. Once they get used to this level at their young age, it will be easy for them to handle the pressure in the next few years,” the tactician said.

Starlets face Tunisia in the opening round of the qualifiers, and are set to hit camp on Monday, February 10, 10 days ahead of the first leg set to be hosted at home.

The coach has named 11 debutants in the squad, among them newly signed Kibera Soccer goal poacher Faith Mboya, recently signed from second tier side Sunderland Samba.

Goalkeepers Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Soccer Girls) and Lavender Abongo (KISPED Queens) as well as defenders Benedete Atieno (KISPED Queens),  Alice Mideri (Vihiga Queens), Tabitha Amoit (Ulinzi Starlets), Mary Nthambi (Kenya Police Bullets), and Janet Mumo (Kibera Soccer Girls) are some of the other debutants.

The squad also features seasoned players including the on-form Jentrix Shikangwa and her Simba Queens teammates Ruth Ingosi, Corazone Aquino and Elizabeth Wambui.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets), Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Girls Soccer), Lilian Awuor (Farul Constanta, Turkey), Lavender Abongo (KISPED Queens)

Defenders

Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens), Dorcas Shikobe (Sirines of Grevena, Greece), Benedete Atieno (KISPED Queens), Elizabeth Ochaka (Kenya Police Bullets),Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor), Wincate Kaari (Simba Queens), Alice Mideri (Vihiga Queens), Leila Apiyo (Sirines of Grevena, Greece), Tabitha Amoit (Ulinzi Starlets), Enez Mango (Farul Constanta, Turkey), Mary Nthambi (Kenya Police Bullets), Janet Mumo (Kibera Girls Soccer)

Midfielders

Corazone Aquino (Simba Queens), Sheril Angach (Ulinzi Starlets), Martha Amnyolet (Vihiga Queens), Lydia Akoth (Yanga Princess), Fasila Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets), Lavender Ann Akinyi (Ulinzi Starlets), Yvonne Idagiza (Kibera Girls Soccer), Cynthia Shilwatso (Besiktas, Turkey), Beverline Adika (Zetech Sparks)

Forwards

Mwanalima Adam (Kansas, USA), Elizabeth Mideva (Archbishop Njenga), Tereza Engesha, Rebecca Okwaro (Kenya Police Bullets), Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui ( (Simba Queens), Jentrix Shikangwa (Simba Queens), Janet Bundi , Faith Mboya ( Kibera Girls Soccer), Catherine Khaemba (Bungoma Queens), Emily Moranga (Kenya Police Bullets)