Harambee Starlets names 23-Player squad for Ivory Coast friendlies

• Harambee Starlets will play two friendly matches against Ivory Coast on April 4 and April 8, 2025, in Abidjan.
• Coach Beldine Odemba has made only a few changes to her traveling 26-player squad.
• The two matches are crucial as the Starlets prepare for their second-round clash against Gambia in the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers.

Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has named a 23-player squad set to travel to Ivory Coast for two high-profile friendlies against the Ivory Coast Women’s National Team.

The matches, scheduled for April 4^th and April 8^th, will offer the national team a valuable opportunity to refine their performance ahead of their crucial second-round clash against Gambia in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.

Odemba has made only a few adjustments to the squad that faced Tunisia last month in the first round of the WAFCON qualifiers.

Ann Norah, Vivian Nasaka, Lucy Kwekwe, and Faith Mboya have all been included in the traveling sqaud.

Nasaka, who was initially called up for the Tunisia clash, missed out due to an injury sustained at her club, Hakkarigucuspor.

Mboya, who was not part of the final squad for Tunisia, now has a chance to prove herself in these important encounters.

However, the Starlets will be without their team captain, Dorcas Shikobe, who suffered an injury while playing for her Greek club, Sirines of Grevena.

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For the upcoming friendlies, the Starlets will be led by profile forwards including Simba Queens’ in-form striker Jentrix Shikangwa, Emily Morang’a, Violet Nanjala, and the experienced Tereza Engesha, all of whom have retained their places in the squad.

The Police Bullet tactician emphasized that the purpose of these friendlies is to assess the team’s progress and identify areas for improvement before their decisive match against Gambia.

 “The purpose of these friendlies is to evaluate our progress, identify areas for improvement, and build on our strengths. That’s why I’ve made minimal changes to the squad from the Tunisia camp—to get a clear picture of where we stand as a team.,” Odemba explained to FKF Media.

She also confirmed that Shikobe will not feature in the upcoming matches.

 “It’s unfortunate that we’ll be missing our captain, Dorcas Shikobe, due to an injury she picked up in Greece. I wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to having her back in our future matches,” she added.

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The team is scheduled to depart for Abidjan on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, as they continue their pursuit of a spot in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Harambee Starlets travelling squad

Goalkeepers
Annedy Kundu, Lilian Awuor

Defenders
Enez Mango, Janet Mumo, Ruth Ingosi, Tabitha Amoit, Wincate Kaari, Ann Norah, Vivian Nasaka

Midfielders
Corazone Aquino, Cynthia Shilwatso, Fasila Adhiambo, Lavender Akinyi, Lydia Akoth, Sheryl Angach

Forwards
Mwanalima Adam, Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui, Rebecca Okwaro, Lucy Kwekwe, Jentrix Shikangwa, Tereza Engesha, Faith Mboya

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Harambee Starlets Friendly Schedule

• Friday, April 4, 2025 – 10:00 PM EAT, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

• Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – 10:00 PM EAT, Abidjan, Ivory Coast