The first leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Kenya’s Harambee Starlets and Tunisia is set to be played on February 21st at Ulinzi Sports Complex,Nairobi.
The reverse fixture sis scheduled four days later away in Tunisia.
Head Coach Beldine Odemba has named a 36-member provisional squad with 26 having already reported to the residential camp.
“Tunisia is a strong side, but we are ready for the challenge ahead. In our home match, we need to score and press forward aggressively to secure a positive result.”
The squad a blend of experience,youth including eleven new players.
‘’They are players that I have watched in the league severally ,they are play makers ,they are scorers. I will single out Faith{Mboya} who plays for Kibera Women’s Soccer who played in NSL last season and scored 15 goals in half season.She si a afighter she is a go getter and we need quality like hers and also also push the strikers that we have always had in camp’’, Beldine remarked.
Odemba said the inclusion of the youngsters is a also a way of ensuring transition for the would be tommorow’s mainstays.
“The youth are the future of football. Bringing them into the senior team helps build a conveyor belt of talent. A great example is former Junior Starlets captain Elizabeth Ochaka, who has already played at the highest level, the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, leading her team to Kenya’s first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.”
If Kenya gets past Tunisia Kenya will play Cameroon in the final round of the qualifiers.Kenya is seeking to make its second appearance at the Women Africa Cup Of Nations finals after qualifying for the first time in 2016.
‘’Tunisia are ranked way above us they are 51st in the world, we take chances when we are given and we are going to give them a run for their money’, Odemba opined.
