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Blow to Harambee Starlets as key players are set to miss upcoming friendlies
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 02.06.26. | 08:57
Coach Odemba has been forced to call other players following the unavailability of some of her key arsenal
Harambee Starlets have suffered a major blow ahead of their upcoming friendly matches, with coach Beldine Odemba confirming the absence of key players.
Kenya is set to compete in a Four Nations Tournament alongside Zimbabwe, Lesotho and hosts Zambia.
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However, the team is expected to be without several key players, including Romania-based duo of goalkeeper Lilian Awuor and defender Enez Mango.
Speaking at the sidelines of the team's training session at the Kasarani Annex on Monday, 1 June, coach Odemba confirmed the unavailability of the duo.
“This is the second year in a row that we are facing this problem. We have missed Lilian (Awuor) and Enez (Mango)before and we are unfortunately going to miss them again due to work permit issues.
We had hoped that they would get them sorted by today (1 June) but their clubs confirmed that they are not yet done and will therefore miss this window,” she said.
The two players who ply their trade with Romanian top-tier side FC Farul Constanta may be joined by the Ulinzi Starlets contingent that includes Lorine Ilavonga and Elizabeth Mideva.
“In Kenya, Ulinzi Starlets players have not yet reported, and the club told us that they will report after their tour of Western and Nyanza.
Sometimes it becomes too late for them as we always want the local players in camp early enough. It helps us prepare, especially when we do not have competitive matches locally,” stated Odemba.
Additionally, the team is likely to be without some of the Simba Queens players, with Odemba lamenting the frustrations the team faces from the Tanzanian giants in releasing players for national duty.
However, the former Kenya Police Bullets head coach has reacted to the situation by recalling two players into the Harambee Starlets camp.
“We have recalled Marion Serenge and Violet (Nanjala) to come in and fill the gaps. Marion had a program to work on after the FIFA Series and hopefully, she has improved on it.”
Starlets will take to the field for their first match on Saturday, 6 June, before playing their final match on Tuesday, 9 June.