WAFCON: Kenya to face Benin and Ivory Coast in build-up matches

Kenya women 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 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The team is scheduled to depart on Saturday, February 28, 2026, for Abidjan, where they will face Benin on March 2 and Ivory Coast on March 4.

The gang’s all here!

Enez and Lilian have linked up with the Harambee Starlets camp 🔥#HarambeeStarlets #WAFCON2026 pic.twitter.com/D9zLJmKeKc

— Harambee Starlets (@StarletsKE) February 24, 2026

After the two fixtures, the squad will travel to Miramas, France, for a residential training camp that will run until March 15, before heading to Morocco for the continental tournament.

Crucial friendlies in Abidjan

Kenya will face Benin on March 2, 2026 before playing hosts Ivory Coast on March 4th in Abidjan. Both matches will be staged at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé.

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 sits at 139. Kenya is currently placed 133rd.

Eyes on WAFCON 2026

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will run from March 17 to April 3, 2026. Kenya will open their Group A campaign against hosts Morocco on March 17. The Starlets will then face Senegal on March 20 before concluding the group stage against Algeria on March 23.

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 #WAFCON2026 prep continues#HarambeeStarlets pic.twitter.com/daXfCjwzTk

— Harambee Starlets (@StarletsKE) February 24, 2026

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;

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).