Awuor and Starlets ready for Albanian test

Harambee Starlets goalkeeper Lilian Awuor has hailed the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) move to plan for an international friendly match for the national women side saying it will help the payers to regain their form.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) last week announced that the senior women side will play Albania on April 11 in their first international engagement in over a year after the FKF’s suspension by FIFA.

Awuor, who plies her trade with French top tier side ASJ Soyaux-Charente, is in the 33-member provisional squad named by Starlets new tactician Godfrey “Solo” Oduor on Monday ahead of the match.

She is expected to jet into the country for the training camp which begins on Thursday before leaving for Albania on April 8.

The former Vihiga Queens player told Citizen Digital she is optimistic that they will defeat Albania despite not having a rivalry history between the two sides.

“I’m very happy for the call up because it’s always an honor to represent my country. Now that football is back after a very long time in suspension, I’m sure as players we are capable of making Kenya great again in women’s football.

“I don’t know much about Albania but I’m sure the squad we have is capable of doing wonders in Tirana. I’m urging my teammates to stay focused and be determined,” Awuor said.

Awuor was part of the Vihiga Queens squad which featured at the inaugural African Womens’ Champions League in Cairo, Egypt in 2021.

Desma Nyawade and Maximila Robi who play for Kisped Queens and Kibera Soccer in the FKF Women’s Division One are among those who received their first call-ups.

Monalizer Anyango from Zetech Sparks, Ketsi Ngaira from Ulinzi Starlets, and Valentine Khwaka from in-form side Gaspo Women have also been called up for the first time ever.

Turkish side trio Mwanahalima Adam (Hakkarigucuspor), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigucuspor), and Phoebe Owiti (Hakkarigucuspor) together with Esse Akida (PAOK, Greece) are also in the squad.

Oduor who was the Starlets assistant coach was appointed by the Federation to be the head coach on March 22 after the former coach Charles Okere left his role.

Starlets who missed the 2022 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) tournament which was staged in Morocco due to suspension, will be aiming to qualify for the 2024 edition which will be held in the same country (Morocco) for the second time in a row.