Harambee Starlets: Here are the ladies who will represent Kenya at AWCON 2018

The provisional Harambee Starlets squad for AWCON 2018 has been named [Photo: Standard]

Kenya’s national women’s football team Harambee Starlets will play at the African Women Cup of Nations – that’s a given.

For them, this will be the second successive appearance in the competition.

This year’s AWCON, which begins in November 17^th will be staged in Accra, Ghana.

Kenya has been pooled in Group B together with holders Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia.

Coach David Ouma has named 32 players in his provisional squad. The squad comprises basically players who helped the team qualify – those who took part in the matches against Equatorial Guinea and Uganda. Also selected are players who participated in the CECAFA Women’s Championships in Rwanda.

USA-based Marjolene Nekesa has received a call-up alongside Janet Bundi, Christine Nafula and Mary Kinuthia.

The team will hit camp on Monday, October 29.

Harambee Starlets will be gracing the competition for the second time in their history [Courtesy]

Here is the whole squad and the teams they play for: (Information courtesy of Football Kenya Federation)

Goalkeepers: Pauline Atieno (Makolanders), Maureen Shimuli (Wadadia), Annette Kundu (Eldoret Falcons), Monica Karambu (Thika Queens), Diana Tembesi (Wiyeta Girls)

Defenders: Lilian Adera (Vihiga Queens), Wendy Achieng (Spedag), Dorcas Shikobe (Oserian), Phelistus Kadari (Vihiga Queens), Wincate Kaari (Thika Queens), Elizabeth Ambogo (Spedag), Maureen Khakasa (Trans Nzoia Falcons), Juliet Auma (Thika Queens), Vivian Nasaka (Vihiga Queens)

Midfielders: Jentrix Shikangwa (Wiyeta Girls), Mary Kinuthia (Gaspo Youth), Sheril Angachi (Gaspo Youth), Ruth Ingosi (Eldoret Falcons), Corazone Aquino (Vihiga Queens), Elizabeth Wambui (Gaspo Youth), Martha Amunyolete (Trans Nzoia Falcons), Christine Nafula (Gaspo Youth), Cynthia Shilwatso (Vihiga Queens), Mercy Achieng (Thika Queens), Cheris Avilia (Spedag)

Strikers: Neddy Atieno (Makolanders), Esse Akida (Ramat Hasharon), Mwanahalima Adam (Thika Queens), Janet Bundi (Eldoret Falcons), Terry Engesha (Vihiga Queens), Phoebe Oketch (Vihiga Queens), Marjolene Nekesa (USA)

Group A sees hosts Ghana pooled alongside Algeria, Mali and Cameroon.

Starlets will be hoping to produce a performance befitting title contenders as they face Nigeria for only the second time in history – the last one a 4-0 drubbing in 2016. The Super Falcons went on to win the tournament, beating South Africa and Cameroon in the semifinal and final respectively.

The ladies from Nigeria are strong and might be out to prove their might, having won the tournament ten times since 1991.

Cameroon and South Africa posted the best results in the last two editions of the competition thus have received second level seeding. Cameroon reached the final in 2014, 2016 and the semi-final in 2012.

Banyana Banyana managed to get to the final in 2012 and semi-final in 2014 and 2016.

Mali will be making a return to the competition after missing out on the last two editions.

Algeria and Zambia were also absent from the tournament two years ago.

Hosts Ghana will be making their 12^th appearance in the competition.