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Harambee Starlets step up preps for Tunisia test
Harambee Starlets striker Emily Morang’a (left) and defender Wincate Kaari vie for the ball during their training session at Kasarani Annex on February 14, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Tunisia will use this qualifier as part of their preparations for the postponed 2024 Wafcon, set for July 5-26 in Morocco. They have been placed in Group ‘A’ alongside Nigeria, Algeria, and Botswana.
- Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced ticketing details for tomorrow’s match, with VIP tickets priced at Sh500 and regular tickets at Sh100. The winner of this contest will face either Niger or Gambia in the second round.
Harambee Starlets midfielder Cynthia Shilwatso has admitted to feeling the pressure ahead of Kenya’s crucial 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualifier against Tunisia, especially after the Junior Starlets’ historic qualification for the 2024 Under-17 Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Shilwatso, who plays for Turkish club Beşiktaş, is eager to make an impact in Friday's first leg of the qualifier at Ulinzi Sports Complex. The return leg will be played on February 26 in Sousse, Tunisia.
“Pressure is piling up to perform since the U-17 team debuted at the World Cup last year and this makes us work extra hard,” said Shilwatso, who joined the national camp on Monday after returning from Turkish club Beşiktaş.
“Success at home is important for the ease of the return leg. For my part, I am dedicated to scoring for our qualification. Having recovered from injury, I fought hard to get this chance again after our unfortunate defeat by Botswana in 2023,” she added.
Shilwatso is remembered for her decisive goal against Cameroon in September 2023 during the qualifiers for the postponed 2024 Wafcon.
Coming off the bench to replace striker Esse Akida, she netted the equaliser at Nyayo National Stadium, levelling the aggregate score at 1-1. Kenya eventually won 4-3 on penalties, but was later eliminated by Botswana in the second round.
Reflecting on that experience, Shilwatso emphasised the importance of capitalising on scoring opportunities.
“We need to score both at home and away. In the last qualifiers, we missed our chances, which led to our failure to qualify. Competing in Wafcon represents a great opportunity to represent our country. We urge fans to come out in large numbers, as we promise to give our best to qualify,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Tunisia arrived in Nairobi Wednesday morning. The North African side, coached by Kamel Saada, landed at 7:35 am aboard Qatar Airways and are staying at Concord Hotel in Westlands.
Their 34-member contingent, comprising 22 players and 12 technical staff, was scheduled to train at Kasarani Annex yesterday evening before getting a feel of Ulinzi Sports Complex Thursday at 3pm.
Starlets coach Beldine Odemba confirmed that 30 of the 36 provisional squad members had already reported to camp at Absa Grounds in Nairobi, with the final six expected Wednesday.
“We already have 10 foreign-based players and have welcomed six from Tanzania. The final player, defender Vivian Nasaka from Turkey, will arrive on the 19th,” said Odemba on Tuesday.
Kenya, ranked 151st in FIFA rankings, debuted at the 2016 Wafcon finals , while Tunisia, ranked 78th, last participated in 2022 edition, and will also feature in the postponed 2024 Wafcon finals in Morocco in July.
Tunisia qualified by defeating Congo 6-3 on aggregate after an impressive 12-1 victory over Niger in the first round. In 2022, they reached the quarter-finals, but were eliminated by South Africa in a 1-0 defeat.
For Kenya, this will be a historic first-ever meeting with Tunisia. Starlets made their Wafcon debut in 2016, after advancing past Algeria on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw in the final qualifying round.
However, they struggled in the tournament, finishing bottom of Group ‘B’ after losses to Ghana (3-1), Nigeria (4-0), and Mali (3-1).
Tunisia will use this qualifier as part of their preparations for the postponed 2024 Wafcon, set for July 5-26 in Morocco. They have been placed in Group ‘A’ alongside Nigeria, Algeria, and Botswana.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced ticketing details for tomorrow’s match, with VIP tickets priced at Sh500 and regular tickets at Sh100. The winner of this contest will face either Niger or Gambia in the second round.