Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have resumed preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, commonly referred to as WAFCON 2026. The team, led by head coach Beldine Odemba, reported to camp on Friday, November 21, 2025, in Nairobi.

The 2026 showpiece will be the 16th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial international football championship organised by the Confederation of African Football for the women’s national teams of Africa. The tournament will be played in Morocco for the third consecutive time.

Kenya qualified for the tournament after nine years of absence at the expense of Gambia (4-1 aggregate) in the last phase of the qualifiers in October 2025. The showpiece will run from March 17 to April 3, 2025, in the North African country.

Algeria friendlies

Meanwhile, Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has named a 23-player squad set to travel for two high-profile international friendlies against Algeria later in November 2025.

The matches, scheduled for Wednesday, November 26 and Sunday, November 30, 2025, will be played in Bilda, Algeria. With Algeria currently ranked 80th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, the fixtures will serve as an important test as Starlets begin shaping their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Squad changes

Coach Odemba has made a few changes to the squad that secured WAFCON qualification against the Gambia. Emily Moranga, Providence Mukalo, Valerie Nekesa, Sheryl Muyera and Euphraiser Shilwatso have been included in the travelling party.

Vihiga Queens’ midfielder Mukalo makes a return to the national outfit as Zetech Sparks defender Sheryl Muyera earns her first call-up. Shilwatso, who earned a late call-up during the Gambia qualifiers but did not make the final squad, now returns with an opportunity to stake her claim ahead of a busy year for the national team.

Ulinzi Starlets’ Tabitha Amoit and Lavender Ann will not be part of the travelling squad, as both players have joined the Kenya Defence Forces Recruit Training School (DFRTS) in Eldoret for military training.

Forward Violet Nanjala also misses out as she continues her recovery from the injury she sustained during the second-leg match against Gambia.

With WAFCON 2026 doubling up as a qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the team has set a clear target of reaching the semifinals to secure a historic place at the global tournament. The Algeria matches will therefore offer important minutes and tactical refinement as the team continues its build-up.