In the absence of long serving skippers Dorcas Shikobe, Gaspo Women’s Corazone Aquino has been handed the armband and is ready to steer the women’s football national team Harambee Starlets to another Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) appearance.Starlets begin their first-round campaign against South Sudan at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday 20 October 2021 with the return leg set for Sunday 24 October at the same venue. “Preparations have been the best, the coaches have done their job and now it is up to us to implement the game plan. We are ready. ⚽ | Getting ready for tomorrow’s clash against South Sudan 🇸🇸.#AWCON2022Q #AWCON #HarambeeStarlets 📸 @joyakothomondi pic.twitter.com/GRH9Wi5BIH— Rachael Muema (@IamRachaelMuema) October 19, 2021 We are under no pressure, despite not having played against South Sudan before. We will handle them as we would any other opponent. Expect a big win from us,” said Aquino adding that the team is taking the campaign for a return to the AWCON one match at a time. ##NAJAVA_MECA_5909051##The 2022 AWCON will take place in Morocco between 2 and 23 July and will double up as the African qualifiers for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The top four teams will qualify for the World Cup, and two more teams will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs.Head coach Charles Okere had called an initial squad of 31 to residential camp and is yet to name his final team. “I believe the time we have been in camp has been enough and we have prepared well. We have prepared everyone to take to the field so the issue of having a final squad is wash to hand. Bright Starlets of South Sudan had a build up match against Ligi Ndogo’s 17 boys team at the ABSA Kenya Sports Club on Saturday October 16, 2021 ahead of their scheduled two-legged 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya’s Harambee Starlets.#MakeYourselfMore pic.twitter.com/lnSla9yzVr— Salient Sports Management (@SSMSportsAgency) October 17, 2021 We will only need to drop a few players and we are good to go for the match. The same applies to the return leg. The morale in camp is high and we are ready to play,” said Okere. From the initial list of 31 three could not honour the call up and the rest of the squad is still in training. Okere will need to drop five from the 28 ahead of their clash with South Sudan. Mshambuliaji wa Harambee Starlets Mwanalima Dogo Adam amejiunga na klabu ya Hakkarigucu Spor ya nchini Turkey na ametia sahihi mkataba wa mwaka mmoja. Hongera 👏🏿na kila la heri. pic.twitter.com/vM8bQGxLSP— Mozzart Bet Kenya (@mozzartbetkenya) October 13, 2021 Expected to make a return to the team is Ulinzi Starlets’ skipper Neddy Atieno and Vihiga Queens’ goal poacher Terry Engesha who have been out of the team for some time, having missed the 2018/19 Olympics qualifiers as well as the CECAFA championship.In addition, Okere will have the experience of Vihiga’s Janet Bundi, Phoebe Oketch, Hakkarigucu Spor’s Mwanalima Adam, midfield maestro Sheril Angachi and on-form Gentrix Shikangwa to choose his starting 11 from.
