Head coach Charles Okere is likely to tinker with his squad as his charges, the women’s national football side, Harambee Starlets, face South Sudan’s Bright Starlets at Nyayo National Stadium from 4pm. The encounter, a return game, in round one of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers has Harambee as favourites following their first leg 8-0 thrashing of their opponents on 20 October at the same venue. In the first leg match, the tactician only made three substitutions, bringing in Terry Engesha and Mercyline Wayodi in the 65th minute for Corazone Aquino and Lucy Akoth while the third change came in the 77th minutes, midfield maestro Sheril Angachi giving way for Vihiga Queens’ Mercyline Anyango. A definite change in Saturday’s starting line-up will be in the goalkeeping department as first choice shot stopper Annette Kundu is unavailable, having reportedly left the country after the first leg encounter to link up with a new side. She has been unattached for the last five months. “The players are ready and now they go to the return leg with an idea of what to expect from South Sudan. Despite the feeling that it is a formality match, we owe our fans another good football show.This is also a chance for the players that did not get to start in the first leg or even make it to the match-day team sheet, and have shown the hunger in training, to get their chance as we showcase the gains we have made over time in women’s football in the country,” said coach Okere. Lilian Awuor is likely to replace Kundu between the posts. She has been active for Vihiga Queens during their CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, helping the side book their ticket to the inaugural edition.She also bagged the golden glove award at the conclusion of the inaugural Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Women’s Cup competition. Also up for selection in the goalkeeping department is Maureen Shimuli who has made several call-ups and traveled with the team but is yet to get her cap. She comes in as second favourite having guided Ulinzi Starlets to lifting the inaugural FKF Women’s Cup title. Okere’s third choice will be Kibera Starlets’ Pauline Katharu who was instrumental in her side evading relegation in the 2020/21 Women Premier League (WPL) season.Seeing as Okere had not named a final team and still has 27 players in camp it remains to be seen whether he maintains the same team he had for the first leg or those who did not make to the teamsheet will get their chance to suit up for Harambee. Shimuli and Katharu did not make Wednesday’s 18-player squad while in defence Kayole’s Juliet Adipo and Nakuru’s Dorcas Neema had been dropped. In midfield, Thika Queens’ Lydia Akoth, Lilian Mmboga from Kibera Girls, Vihiga’s Maureen Ater and Trans Nzoia Falcons’ Martha Amunyolete missed out while Thika’s Rachael Mwema, Gaspo’s Elizabeth Wambui and Ulinzi’s Lucy Mukhwana were not included in the forwards list. Additionally, Nelly Sawe, Janet Bundi, Violet Wanyonyi and Awuor did not get their chance to take to the pitch despite making the match-day squad. Kenya is set to play the winner between Ethiopia and Uganda in the final round of qualification set for February 2022 and Okere has exuded confidence in his team holding their own against such opposition to book their slot to AWCON. “The most important thing for us going forward is having all the players active for their clubs as that will give us the match needed fitness, which was an area of concern after the first leg encounter. Whoever we meet in the next round, we will be ready,” added Okere.
