Godfrey Oduor, popularly known as Solo, has been appointed interim head coach of Kenya’s women’s national football team, Harambee Starlets.
He has started his tenure by recalling forwards Jentrix Shikangwa and Corazone Aquino to the squad ahead of their 2028 Olympic Games qualifying matches against Seychelles.
Shikangwa recently joined Egyptian Women’s Premier League side FC Masar from Tanzanian champions Simba Queens, while Aquino remains with Simba Queens.
The duo were part of the Starlets setup before being left out of the squad that represented Kenya at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) under former coach Beldine Odemba.
The interim coach, who previously coached Nairobi United, will lead the Starlets in the two-legged qualifiers scheduled for October 8 and 12, 2026, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM.
As he prepares for the challenge, he has handed maiden senior call-ups to five players— Shabana Starlets defender Hellen Ochieng, Kayole Starlets forward Magneta Ochieng, Madira Soccer Assassins defender Abigael Njeru, Gideon Starlets midfielder Mercyline Wafula, and Vihiga Queens midfielder Josephine Warenga.
His provisional squad has also seen other players returning to the Harambee Starlets fold, among them Gor Mahia Queens goalkeeper Monica Odato, Kibera Soccer Women defender Janet Mumo, Mathare United Women defender Wincaate Kaari, Haymanaspor midfielder Lavine Achola, Kenya Police Bullets forward Faith Mboya, Wacker Innsbruck Women forward Sylvia Makungu and Madira Soccer Assassins forward Charity Midewa.
The inclusion of the new players provides them with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and compete for places in the national team ahead of the crucial fixtures.
Oduor’s decision to recall Shikangwa and Aquino adds more options to the attacking department as the Starlets prepare to face Seychelles.
Harambee Starlets will be looking to secure positive results in the two matches to advance in their campaign to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Oduor’s immediate task will be to build team cohesion, assess the abilities of the newly called-up players and ensure the squad is adequately prepared for the upcoming fixtures.
Attention now turns to Nyayo National Stadium, where Harambee Starlets will face Seychelles in the first leg on Thursday, October 8, before playing the return leg on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Both matches are scheduled to take place at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Harambee Starlets provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets), Lilian Awuor (Farul Constanta, Romania), Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Soccer Women), Juliet Adhiambo (Trinity Starlets), Monica Odato (Gor Mahia Queens).
Defenders: Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens, Tanzania), Elizabeth Ochaka (Kenya Police Bullets), Norah Ann (Kenya Police Bullets), Leah Andiema (Kenya Police Bullets), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucu Spor, Turkey), Enez Mango (Politehnica Timișoara Feminina, Romania), Mary Nthambi (Kenya Police Bullets), Janet Mumo (Kibera Soccer Women), Wincaate Kaari (Mathare United Women), Elizabeth Muteshi (Trinity Starlets), Hellen Ochieng (Kayole Starlets), Lavine Achola (Haymanaspor, Turkey), Euphrasier Shilwatso (Haymanaspor, Turkey), Abigael Njeru (Madira Soccer Assassins).
Midfielders: Lorna Nyarinda (Kenya Police Bullets), Fasila Adhiambo (Simba Queens), Mercy Airo (Ulinzi Starlets), Martha Amunyolete (Kenya Police Bullets), Elizabeth Mideva (FC Gintra, Lithuania), Mwanalima Adam (HB Køge, Denmark), Lavender Akinyi (Ulinzi Starlets), Corazone Aquino (Simba Queens), Mercyline Wafula (Gideon Starlets), Marion Serenge (St. Noa Girls, Uganda), Josephine Warenga (Vihiga Queens).
Forwards: Tereza Engesha (Kenya Police Bullets), Faith Mboya (Kenya Police Bullets), Violet Nanjala (Hibernians FC Women, Scotland), Eglay Mukhwana (Kenya Police Bullets), Shaline Nambengele (Ulinzi Starlets), Airin Madalina (Kenya Police Bullets), Valerie Nekesa (CD Tenerife Femenino, Spain), Sylvia Makungu (Wacker Innsbruck Women, Austria), Jentrix Shikangwa (FC Masar, Egypt), Magneta Ocharo (Kayole Starlets), Charity Midewa (Madira Soccer Assassins), Shirleen Opisa (Amus College, Uganda) and Catherine Khaemba (Panetolikos GFS, Greece).
