Simba Queens duo missing as final Harambee Starlets squad for FIFA Series is named

Kenya women’s national football team Harambee Starlets will miss the services of Simba Queens duo Jentrix Shikangwa and Elizabeth Wambui, after the two were omitted from Beldine Odemba’s squad set to take part in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Series kicking off in Nairobi this weekend.

Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news

Football Kenya Federation (FKF), while unveiling the final 24-player squad on Friday, 10 April, did not provide the reasoning behind their absence, but indicated that the pair had been in a group of four Simba Queens players that were not available at the start of the international break on 7 April due to “club commitments in a domestic league fixture.”

All through the team’s training camp, Shikangwa and Wambui were not present, as were their club teammates Fasila Adhiambo and Ruth Ingosi, who only joined the rest of the squad on Friday, 10 April.

Initially, the entire quartet had been rumored to miss the home tournament, only for Adhiambo and Ingosi to show up.

“Fasila Adhiambo and Ruth Ingosi have checked into camp on April 10, 2026, and will be training with the team ahead of the tournament,” FKF’s statement read.

Kenya U17 coach speaks on chances of FIFA Women's World Cup qualification

Shikangwa and Wambui therefore become the two high profile players to miss out on the FIFA Series, which will see Starlets play India on Saturday, 11 April, before squaring out with either Australia or Malawi on Wednesday, 15 April.

Another player set to miss out is Ulinzi Starlets defender Lorine Ilavonga, who is understood to have sustained an injury in “a domestic league match prior to the team’s final preparation phase.”

Additionally, Elizabeth Muteshi of Trinity Starlets and Vihiga Queens’ Alice Mideri drop out of Odemba’s provisional squad, as does third-choice goalkeeper Lilian Adhiambo.

“The technical bench’s final selection has been guided by the need to ensure continuity in preparations, full integration within the training camp period, and overall squad cohesion ahead of the opening match at the FIFA Women’s Series,” FKF’s statement added.

Odemba will get a chance to see how her squad fares against 67th ranked India on Saturday at 5:00pm (EAT), following the early kickoff between Australia and Malawi at 2:00pm (EAT).

The two matches will take place at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Inside the rise of a little-known Kenyan starlet targeting Zambian league glory with Zesco Ndola Girls

FINAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

‎Lilian Awuor, Annedy Kundu.

‎Defenders

‎Ruth Ingosi, Norah Ann, Elizabeth Ochaka, Euphrasier Shilwatso, Vivian Nasaka, Janet Mumo, Leah Andiema, Enez Mango.

Midfielders

‎Mwanalima Adam, Fasila Adhiambo, Martha Amunyolete, Mercy Airo, Airin Madalina, Vidah Sharon, Terry Engesha, Lorna Nyarinda.

‎Forwards

‎Elizabeth Mideva, Shaline Nambengele, Eglay Mukhwana, Shirleen Opisa, Marion Serenge, Valerie Nekesa.