The Kenya women’s national team, Harambee Starlets, On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, held their first preparations for the CECAFA Women’s Senior Challenge Cup, set to kick off on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

The team was taken through its first session in Tanzania, a day after reporting to camp on the evening of Monday, June 10, 2025, and their subsequent journey to Tanzania.

In a related twist, coach Beldine Odemba, who has been widely reported to have resigned from her role as the national team head coach, led the team through its paces, and she is expected to steer the team through the tourney.

Reports of the coach’s resignation have been rife on social media, with multiple sources claiming that Kenya’s humbling defeat in Morocco on June 4, 2025, was her last game in charge of the ladies’ team.

Odemba on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, named a 23-player squad that will feature in this edition of the women’s championship.

The tournament serves as a build-up to the 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final round qualifier against Gambia.

Kenya is aiming to return to the continental stage for the first time since making their debut in 2016.

Among those handed a call-up by the coach are Kibera Soccer Women’s midfielder Medina Abubakar Hussein and Vihiga Queens’ forward Swaum Nanjaka Masungo.

Maiden call-ups

Masungo was part of the 2024 Safaricom Chapa Dimba team that flew to Huesca, Spain, following a nationwide scouting exercise.

On her part, Abubakar earned her call-up after an impressive show with the Kibera-based club.

 The budding midfielder helped David Vijago’s team to the FKF Women’s Cup final, where they await to face Vihiga Queens.

Also back in the national team fold is Police Bullets FC’s Emily Morang’a. The lanky striker has been named in the offensive line comprising Faith Mboya, Tumaini Waliaula, and Masungo.

Foreign-based duo of Violet Nanjala and Simba Queens, Elizabeth Wambui, wraps up her in Odemba’s attacking arsenal for the regional tourney.

Kenya will be joined by hosts Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and Uganda in the five-nation regional tournament organised by CECAFA in collaboration with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).

Starlets will face Burundi in their opening fixture on Saturday, June 14.

Harambee Starlets Squad

Goalkeepers

Annedy Kundu, Lilian Awuor, Vivian Shiyonzo

Defenders

Elizabeth Ochaka, Alice Mideri, Tabitha Amoit, Janet Mumo, Ruth Ingosi, Dorcas Shikobe, Enez Mango, Vivian Nasaka

Midfielders

Diana Wacera, Martha Amunyolet, Fasila Adhiambo, Lavender Ann Akinyi, Medina Abubakar Hussein, Corazone Aquino

Forwards

Emily Morang’a, Swaum Nanjala , Faith Mboya, Elizabeth Wambui, Tumaini Waliaula, Violet Nanjala