Jentrix Shikangwa and Corazone Aquino have been recalled to the Harambee Starlets set-up, as interim coach Godfrey Odour names five debutants in a 48-player provisional squad for the 2028 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers against Seychelles.
Their return marks a major turnaround after the duo controversially missed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament in Morocco under former head coach Beldine Odemba.
During Odemba’s tenure, highly publicized club-versus-country release disputes and injury-reporting rows with their Tanzanian employer forced them to sit out the continental showpiece, where Kenya ultimately slumped to a costly early exit at the bottom of Group A.
Aquino remains a foundational pillar for Simba Queens in Tanzania, while lethal striker Shikangwa returns with fresh momentum after sealing a blockbuster transfer to Egyptian top-flight heavyweights FC Masar from Simba.
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Other notable returns to the squad include Gor Mahia Queens goalkeeper Monica Odato, Kibera Soccer Women defender Janet Mumo, Mathare United Women defender Wincaate Kaari and Haymanaspor midfielder Lavine Achola.
Kenya Police Bullets forward Faith Mboya, Wacker Innsbruck W forward Sylvia Makungu and Madira Soccer Assassins forward Charity Midewa also make their way back into the national team set-up.
Odour will also begin his tenure with five new debutants in the squad, bringing fresh legs from players who have impressed at club level.
They include Kayole Starlets defender Hellen Ochieng, Madira Soccer Assassins defender Abigael Njeru, Gideon Starlets midfielder Mercyline Wafula, Vihiga Queens midfielder Josephine Warenga and Kayole Starlets forward Magneta Ocharo.
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The squad also features regulars Annedy Kundu, Vivian Nasaka, Enez Mango, Fasila Adhiambo, Ruth Ingosi, Elizabeth Ochaka, Mwanalima Adam, Violet Nanjala and Tereza Engesha, among others.
Kenya will face Seychelles in a two-legged first-round tie, with the opening leg set for October 8 in Seychelles and the return match at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on October 12.
The winner will advance to the next stage of the qualification campaign, with two African teams eventually earning places at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Harambee Starlets Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets), Lilian Awuor (Farul Constanta, Romania), Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Soccer Women), Juliet Adhiambo (Trinity Starlets), Monica Odato (Gor Mahia Queens).
Defenders: Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens, Tanzania), Elizabeth Ochaka (Kenya Police Bullets), Norah Ann (Kenya Police Bullets), Leah Andiema (Kenya Police Bullets), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucu Spor, Turkey), Enez Mango (Politehnica Timișoara Feminina, Romania), Mary Nthambi (Kenya Police Bullets), Janet Mumo (Kibera Soccer Women), Wincaate Kaari (Mathare United Women), Elizabeth Muteshi (Trinity Starlets), Hellen Ochieng (Shabana Starlets), Lavine Achola (Haymanaspor, Turkey), Euphrasier Shilwatso (Haymanaspor, Turkey), Abigael Njeru (Soccer Assassins).
Midfielders: Lorna Nyarinda (Kenya Police Bullets), Fasila Adhiambo (Simba Queens), Mercy Airo (Ulinzi Starlets), Martha Amunyolete (Kenya Police Bullets), Elizabeth Mideva (FC Gintra, Lithuania), Mwanalima Adam (HB Koge, Denmark), Lavender Akinyi (Ulinzi Starlets), Corazone Aquino (Simba Queens), Mercyline Wafula (Gideon Starlets), Marion Serenge (St. Noa Girls, Uganda), Josephine Warenga (Vihiga Queens).
Forwards: Tereza Engesha (Kenya Police Bullets), Faith Mboya (Kenya Police Bullets), Violet Nanjala (Hibernians FC Women, Scotland), Eglay Mukhwana (Kenya Police Bullets), Shaline Nambengele (Ulinzi Starlets), Airin Madalina (Kenya Police Bullets), Valerie Nekesa (CD Tenerife Femenino, Spain), Sylvia Makungu (Wacker Innsbruck W, Austria), Jentrix Shikangwa (FC Masar, Egypt), Magneta Ocharo (Kayole Starlets), Charity Midewa (Madira Soccer Assassins), Shirleen Opisa (Amus College, Uganda), Catherine Khaemba (Panetolikos GFS, Greece).