Harambee Starlets‘ head coach Beldine Odemba has explained why her squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers against Tunisia is made up of many youngsters.

Odemba revealed her provisional squad that has 36 players on Thursday, February 6, 2025, and Elizabeth Ochaka, Benedete Atieno, Alive Mideri, and Tabitha Amoit were among the starlets given their debut call-ups.

“I have always wanted to build a conveyor 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,” Odemba told a local publication.

Kenya will play Tunisia for the first leg on Friday, 21 February 2025, and the return fixture on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, in Tunis.

Full Harambee Starlets 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)