Kenya-Simba SC in tug-of-war over release of players for national duty

A tug-of-war has emerged between Harambee Starlets and Tanzanian club Simba Queens over the release of players for national team duty, with Kenya accusing the club of frustrating its preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The Harambee Starlets are currently in camp ahead of the continental showpiece in Morocco, scheduled for July 25 to August 16, but head coach Beldine Odemba has expressed frustration over delays in the release of key players.

Simba Queens boast the largest contingent of Kenyan internationals playing abroad, including Jentrix Shikangwa, Corazone Aquino, Fasila Adhiambo, Ruth Ingotsi, Elizabeth Wambui and Cynthia Shilwatso.

With WAFCON fast approaching, the availability of the players remains crucial to Odemba's preparations.

Speaking on the sidelines of the team's training session on Monday, Odemba accused Simba of making it difficult for the national team to access some of its players.

"We call other players and other clubs, especially Simba, and they decide who to release and who not to release. Most of the time, when we call up players, we receive letters from them saying they are unable to release one or two players," said Odemba.

"Sometimes they follow up with medical reports stating that the players are injured or not fit to play, yet you still see them featuring in league matches."

Odemba further called for intervention from the football authorities in Kenya and Tanzania to help resolve the impasse.

The former Kenya Police Bullets coach suggested that the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Tanzania Football Federation should intervene to help resolve the matter.

"It has been difficult to communicate with them, but I hope something can be done through the federation. FKF can engage their counterparts in Tanzania and speak to the club so that we can understand how to work together," she added.

However, Simba Queens Sporting Director Selemani Makanya dismissed the allegations, terming them “false and misleading”.

Makanya said the club has consistently cooperated with Harambee Starlets and accused Odemba of changing the list of requested players on several occasions.

"I have heard Odemba's claims and I am very disappointed by them. For the squad named ahead of the Zambia trip, she requested four players — Fasila Adhiambo, Elizabeth Wambui, Jentrix Shikangwa and Ruth Ingotsi. We informed her that Fasila and Ingotsi were available, while Shikangwa and Wambui were unavailable due to illness. We even provided the medical reports that were requested, yet she is still accusing us falsely," said Makanya.

He further cited the team's trip to Ivory Coast in March 2026 as another example.

"For the Ivory Coast trip, she initially requested four players but later dropped two of them — Wambui and Shikangwa — leaving only Fasila and Ingotsi. She should come out clearly with the facts. The league is over, and we have no reason not to release any player she has requested," he added.

Harambee Starlets are expected to travel to Lusaka, Zambia, on June 3 for a four-nation tournament featuring hosts Zambia, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and Kenya.

The tournament will serve as part of Kenya's preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from July 25 to August 16.