Simba standoff, permit delays rock Starlets camp

Harambee Starlets striker Elizabeth Ochaka during a training session at Kasarani/ HANDOUT 

Harambee Starlets' head coach Beldine Odemba has accused Tanzanian champions Simba Queens of repeatedly sabotaging Kenya's national team preparations by failing to release players for international duty.

This has compounded a growing list of challenges ahead of the team's crucial Four Nations Tournament in Zambia.

The tournament, which will feature Kenya, hosts Zambia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho, forms a key part of the Starlets' preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Kenya will make only their second appearance in history and their first since 2016 after securing qualification earlier this year.

However, Odemba will be without several key players as she looks to fine-tune her squad ahead of the continental assignment and future FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers.

Speaking during a training session at Kasarani, the coach revealed that Romanian-based goalkeeper Lilian Awuor and defender Enez Mango will miss the tournament after failing to secure work permits in time. “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,” said Odemba.

“We had hoped that they would get them sorted by today, but their clubs confirmed that they are not yet done and will therefore miss this window.”

The duo, who turn out for Romanian top-flight side FC Farul Constanța, have become important members of the national team setup, making their absence a significant setback for the technical bench.

Odemba is also dealing with delays involving locally based players. Ulinzi Starlets duo Lorine Ilavonga and Elizabeth Mideva had not reported to camp after a tour of the Western and Nyanza regions with their clubs.

“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,” she explained.

The coach reserved her strongest criticism for Simba Queens, claiming the Tanzanian giants have repeatedly failed to release Kenyan internationals despite official call-ups from the Football Kenya Federation. “We call players, especially from Simba, but they decide who to release and who not to release,” said Odemba.

“Most of the time, we call their players, then we get letters from them indicating that they will not be able to release one or two players. Sometimes, they follow it up with a medical report suggesting they are injured, only to see the player featuring for them in the league a few days later.”

According to Odemba, only vice-captain Fasila Adhiambo and Ruth Ingosi had been released by Simba Queens, while the availability of other players remained uncertain. “It has been a challenge, and we are looking forward to having a good working relationship with the clubs going forward,” she added.

In response to the absences, the coach has recalled Marion Serenge and Violet Nanjala to strengthen the squad.

“We have recalled Marion Serenge and Violet 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,” she said.

Despite the disruptions, Odemba remains optimistic about the team's progress. Kenya heads into the Zambia tournament buoyed by recent positive results, including a runners-up finish at the FIFA Women's Series in Nairobi and qualification for the 2026 WAFCON after overcoming Gambia in the final qualifying round.

The coach said the remaining days in camp will be crucial as the Starlets continue building towards the continental showpiece and future World Cup qualification campaigns.

“We are looking forward to what we can do in the remaining days and getting ready for WAFCON. Our aim is still the same. We are going for the World Cup qualifiers, and we are hoping for the best,” said Odemba.

The Starlets will open their Four Nations tournament campaign against hosts Zambia before facing either Zimbabwe or Lesotho in their second and final match as they seek valuable international exposure ahead of their return to Africa's biggest women's football tournament.