Shinyonzo draws confidence from France camp ahead of Starlets’ Wafcon return

The Kibera Soccer Women custodian says the favourable conditions at the team’s training base in Miramas have elevated the intensity of their sessions, with players competing fiercely for places ahead of the continental showpiece.

The Starlets have been holding double training sessions in France to fine-tune their preparations before traveling to Morocco for the tournament, which runs from July 25 to August 15. Shinyonzo noted that the environment has provided an ideal platform to sharpen skills and build physical fitness before taking on Africa’s top teams.

“We have really enjoyed our stay in France. The weather and the environment have been good, and everyone is pushing themselves to be in the best condition. That has improved the quality of our training,” Shinyonzo said.

“If I get the opportunity to play, I will give my best to help the team,” she added.

Kenya enters the tournament aiming to reach the semifinals for the first time—a milestone that would also earn them qualification for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

The Starlets are drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria, in what is considered one of the tournament’s toughest groups. Despite the formidable opposition, Shinyonzo maintains that the team’s goal remains realistic.

“Our target is to reach the semifinals, and everyone is working hard towards that,” she said.

The Starlets’ preparations kicked off with a residential camp at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani, before transitioning to France for the final leg as the head coach and technical team finalize their match readiness.

Kenya secured its return to the Wafcon finals after missing the previous edition, navigating a tough qualification route by edging Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate before earning a commanding 4-1 aggregate victory over The Gambia in the final round.