Football28 May 2026 - 06:00

Odemba retains core squad as Harambee Starlets step up WAFCON preparations a

The inclusion of Morang’a and Shiyonzo highlights adjustments within a squad that largely retain players involved in recent national team assignments.

by CHARLENE MALWA

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Emily Morang’a and Vivian Shiyonzo are among the players recalled to the Harambee Starlets provisional squad after head coach Beldine Odemba named a team for the upcoming Four Nations tournament in Zambia.

The inclusion of Morang’a and Shiyonzo highlights adjustments within a squad that largely retain players involved in recent national team assignments.

The technical bench has maintained a core group while bringing back individuals who have previously featured for the senior side.

Kenya will use the tournament to assess player combinations and readiness against regional opposition before WAFCON preparations intensify.

Odemba named a provisional squad drawn from both local and foreign-based players, with familiar names retained following Kenya’s participation in recent international engagements, including the FIFA Women’s Series held in Nairobi earlier this year.

Coach Odemba said the tournament will provide the team with another important test as Harambee Starlets continue working towards their targets and look to make a massive impact at WAFCON 2026.

‎‎“These matches will give us another opportunity to continue building the team and exposing the players to competitive international football ahead of WAFCON.

‎ “Our objective is to arrive at the tournament ready to compete at the highest level. We want to challenge ourselves, target a place in the semi-finals and put ourselves in contention for World Cup qualification,” she stated.

During that competition, Harambee Starlets registered a 2-0 victory over India before losing to Australia, matches that formed part of the team’s build-up and evaluation process.

The Zambia tournament is expected to provide further competitive exposure for the Starlets ahead of Morocco 2026, where Kenya will make its second appearance at the continental finals after first qualifying in 2016.

The invitational event will feature Kenya, hosts Zambia, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, offering the technical bench an opportunity to assess tactical organisation, squad balance and match fitness under competitive conditions.

Kenya is scheduled to report to the residential camp on May 29 before departing for Zambia on June 3. Starlets are set to open their campaign against Zimbabwe on June 6 before facing hosts Zambia on June 9 in fixtures expected to guide the technical bench on player selection and combinations ahead of future assignments.

The latest squad also continues the federation’s approach of blending experienced internationals with players who have earned selection through performances at the club level. Starlets seek continuity in team building while strengthening preparations for continental football.

With WAFCON now a central target, the Zambia matches will provide another measure of progress as Kenya continues fine-tuning its squad ahead of the tournament in Morocco.