Harambee Starlets enter regional fray against Burundi
Harambee Starlets defenders Janet Mumo (left) and Elizabeth Ochaka vie for the ball during a training session at Kinondoni Municipal Council Stadium in Dar es Salaam on June 13, 2025.
What you need to know:
- The five-nation tournament featuring Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and South Sudan started on Friday.
- Kenya has been training at Kinondoni Municipal Council in Dar es Salaam under coached Beldine Odemba.
Kenya's Harambee Starlets begin their 2025 Cecafa Senior Women's Championship campaign against Burundi on Sunday at 4pm (Kenyan time) at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The five-nation tournament featuring Kenya, holders Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and South Sudan started on Friday and ends on June 22. After the Starlets game on the same venue today, South Sudan and Uganda, both seeking their first win after losses in their opening matches, will clash from 7 pm.
Uganda lost 1-0 to Burundi, while South Sudan suffered a 4-0 crushing against hosts Tanzania, champions in 2016 and 2018. Kenya have beaten Burundi in their two meeting.
Their most recent encounter was in the 2019 edition at Azam Complex, where the Starlets triumphed 5-0 in the semi-finals. Kenya went on to win the tournament, defeating Tanzania 2-0.
Their first meeting was in the 2016 championships at the Fufa Technical Centre in Uganda on September 13th, with Kenya winning 4-0.
"Training has been good, and we are well prepared for our opponents. I am proud of this opportunity and learning a lot from the coaches and players," said débutante midfielder Medina Abubakar.
Defender Vivian Nasaka echoed Abubakar's sentiments, stating: “We have trained together for two days, everyone is pushing, and I feel everyone is ready for the tournament."
The team has been training at Kinondoni Municipal Council in Mwenge, Dar es Salaam under coached Beldine Odemba, since their arrival on Wednesday.
Starlets will be without experienced midfielders Corazone Aquino and Elizabeth Wambui, who did not report to the Starlets camp at Stadion Hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday. They team ended up travelling with 21 players out of the 23 that had been called to camp by Odemba.
Aquino explained on her Facebook page on Friday that her absence was due to personal reasons.
"It's important for me to clarify that I have never missed a call-up for my beloved country, Kenya, since I started playing. While I did miss this recent opportunity, it was due to personal reasons that require my immediate attention. Please understand that my love for Kenya remains strong, and I will continue to be available to represent our nation once I have resolved my current issues. Those who already know the issue will understand."
The team has two new faces in the frame of Abubakar and striker Swaum Nanjaka Masungo.
Familiar faces include goalkeepers Annedy Kundu and Lilian Awuor. The defence has captain Dorcas Shikobe, Enez Mango, Nasaka, Alice Ukiru Mideri, Tabitha Barasa, Ruth Ingosi, Janet Mumo, and Elizabeth Ocahaka. Diana Wacera, Martha Amunyolet, Abubakar, Fasila Adhiambo, and Lavender Akinyi make up the midfield, while Emily Morang'a, Swaum Nanjaka, Faith Mboya, and Violet Wanyonyi lead the attack.
Kenya participated in the tournament in 2016, 2018, and 2019. A Fifa ban kept Kenya away from the 2022 event. The competition will be played on a round-robin format.