Kenya women’s national team, Harambee Starlets, will travel to Ivory Coast for two international friendly matches before proceeding to a pre-tournament training camp in France as preparations intensify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026).
The team is scheduled to depart on Saturday, 28 February 2026, for Abidjan, where they will face Benin on 2 March and Ivory Coast on 4 March respectively.
Meanwhile, the Ivorian women’s national team started training camp in Abidjan on Tuesday 24 February before facing Benin on 28 February and Kenya on 4 March. The first match will be held at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan at 19:00 GMT, while the second fixture is scheduled for 17:00 GMT at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ébimpé.
With the tournament just weeks away, the friendlies offer a competitive environment to simulate match conditions and address any remaining weaknesses.
Benin and Kenya present contrasting styles and challenges, providing Ivory Coast with varied opposition in the build-up phase.
Such fixtures are often considered vital in tournament preparation, allowing coaches to evaluate defensive organisation, attacking efficiency and overall balance within the squad.
The 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will once again serve as a showcase for the continent’s leading women’s teams, with qualification pathways and continental prestige at stake.
After the two fixtures, Harambee Starlet will travel to Miramas, France, for a residential training camp that will run until March 15, before heading to Morocco for the continental tournament.
The friendlies present a valuable opportunity for the technical bench to fine tune tactics and assess match readiness against competitive opposition.
Ivory Coast are currently ranked 72nd in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, while Benin sit at 139. Kenya is currently placed 133rd.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will run from 17 March to 3 April 2026.
Harambee Starlets squad
Kenya will open their Group A campaign against hosts Morocco on 17 March. The Starlets will then face Senegal on March 20 before concluding the group stage against Algeria on 23 March.
Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has already named a 34-player provisional squad ahead of the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations.
Ten players who took part in the recently concluded local based mini-camp have been included in the provisional squad.
From Kenya Police Bullets, Annedy Kundu, Medina Abubakar and Lorna Nyabuto have earned call ups. Kibera Soccer Women are represented by Vivian Shiyonzo and Mary Majeso, while Trinity Starlets contribute Juliet Adhiambo, Elizabeth Muteshi and Mercyline Mejor. Ulinzi Starlets defender Diana Shakava also makes the list, alongside Euphraiser Shilwatso of Kayole Starlets.
The provisional squad also features eight players from the Kenya U20 Women’s National Team, the Rising Starlets, who continue to make the transition into the senior set up.
Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, Fasila Adhiambo, Valerie Nekesa and Elizabeth Mideva retain their places, while Diana Ochol, Vidah Okeyo and Lornah Faith earn their first senior national team call ups.
Harambee Starlets provisional squad for WAFCON 2026:
Goalkeepers; Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets), Lilian Awuor (Farul Constanta), Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Soccer Women), Juliet Adhiambo (Trinity Starlets).
Defenders; Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens), Dorcas Shikobe (Sirens of Grevena), Enez Mango (Farul Constanta), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor), Elizabeth Ochaka (Kenya Police Bullets), Diana Ochol (Kenya Police Bullets), Lorine Ilavonga (Ulinzi Starlets), Mercyline Mejor (Trinity Starlets), Mary Majeso (Kibera Soccer Women), Euphraiser Shilwatso (Kayole Starlet), Diana Shakava (Ulinzi Starlets), Elizabeth Muteshi (Trinity Starlets).
Midfielders; Lydia Akoth (Yanga Princess), Vidah Akeyo (Kenya Police Bullets), Lorna Nyarinda (Kenya Police Bullets), Medina Abubakar (Kenya Police Bullets9), Fasila Adhiambo (Simba Queens), Martha Amunyolet (Vihiga Queens), Lornah Faith (Butere Girls), Mwanalima Adam (HB Koge), Shaline Nambengele (Ulinzi Starlets).
Forwards; Violet Nanjala (United Eagles FC), Elizabeth Wambui (Simba Queens), Jentrix Shikangwa (Simba Queens), Shirleen Opisa (Amus College), Airin Madalina (Vihiga Queens), Valerie Nekesa (Soccer Assassins), Elizabeth Mideva (Ulinzi Starlets), Eglay Mukhwana (Trinity Starlets), Purity Akinyi (Shabana Starlets).
