Harambee Starlets eye Botswana’s scalp in crucial first leg tie against Botswana

The women’s national football team, Harambee Starlets, will be seeking to make their home advantage count when they take on Botswana in the first leg of their final round of qualification for the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The Beldine Odemba-coached side have a chance of making it to only their second appearance in a WAFCON tournament following their 2016 debut in Cameroon but they need to emerge overall winners in the two-legged affair.

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Having posted a shocking 4-3 penalty shootout victory to knock out giants Cameroon in the penultimate round, Starlets will be hoping for a similar outcome against Botswana who are touted as the favourites in the tie.

Starlets got a huge boost with the arrival of Ulinzi Starlets midfielder Sheryl Angachi who was released on special request from her Kenya Defence Force recruitment training as Odemba confirmed that everyone in camp was ready for the task ahed.

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It is so great to see everyone in camp. It was the kind of situation we wanted to be in and especially for Angachi who we tried so hard through the federation to have her released. We are very grateful,” she said.

Captain Ruth Ingosi on her part revealed the motivation fueling the team as they prepare for the do or die tie.

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“It is another huge assignment for us. Getting a second chance to play in the tournament will be big for us. 2016 was a long time ago, but we have zero pressure in this match. We want to settle in quickly and do our job,” she said.

This will be the third time the two nations will be facing each other on the senior stage, having met in two legs of the 2016 Olympic Qualifiers.

Botswana won 2-1 in the first leg at home with Kenya winning their home tie 1-0 to make it to the next qualifying rounds on the away goal rule.

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Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Annedy Kundu (Ness Atromitou FC), Caroline Rufa (Simba Queens), Lilian Awuor (ASJ Soyaux Charente), Mishi Mbaru (Kenya Police Bullets)

Defenders

Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens), Phoebe Owiti (Gokulam Kerala FC), Dorcas Shikobe (Sirines of Grevana), Juliet Auma (Kenya Police Bullets), Centrine Wasike (Bungoma Queens), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor), Enez Mango (Farul Constata), Fosca Nashivanda (Zetech Sparks)

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Midfielders

Corazone Aquino (Simba Queens), Ketsia Ngaira (Ulinzi Starlets), Lorna Nyarinda (FK Apolonia Fier), Mercyline Wayodi (Vihiga Queens), Fasila Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets), Marjolene Nekesa (SK Slavia Praha), Cynthia Shilwatso (FC Kryvbas Women)

Forwards

Mwanalima Adam (Hakkarigucuspor), Joy Kinglady (Ulinzi Starlets), Jentrix Shikangwa (Beijing Jingtan FC), Tereza Engesha (Hyundai Steel R.A), Violet Nanjala (AMLFF LAAYOUNE), Airine Madalina (Bunyore Starlets), Elizabeth Wambui (Simba Queens) Janet Bundi (Vihiga Queens), Rebecca Okwaro (Kenya Police Bullets), Nancy Atako (Kibera Girls Soccer)