Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have arrived in Ivory Coast ahead of two International friendly matches against Benin and the hosts.

Under head coach Beldine Odemba, the Harambee Starlets will face Benin on Monday, and conclude with a match against Ivory Coast on March 4^th at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé.

The two matches are will be used as build-ups ahead of the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) expected to  take place in Morocco March 17^th to April 3^rd.

“We are glad that the team will play two build-up matches in Ivory Coast and later have time to camp in France,” said coach Odemba.

Ivory Coast are currently ranked 72nd in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, while Benin sit at 139. Kenya is currently placed 133^rd.

Kenya and Tanzania are the two teams that qualified for the 2026 WAFCON. The Harambee Starlets are pooled in Group A alongside Morocco, Senegal and Algeria.

Final squad

Goalkeepers: Lilian Awuor, Annedy Kundu, Juliet Adhiambo

Defenders: Ruth Ingosi, Dorcas Shikobe, Enez Mango, Vivian Nasaka, Elizabeth Ochaka, Diana Ochol, Lorine Ilavonga, Elizabeth Muteshi

Midfielders: Lydia Akoth, Vidah Akeyo, Lorna Nyarinda, Fasila Adhiambo, Martha Amunyolet, Mwanalima Adam, Shaline Nambengele

Forwards: Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui, Jentrix Shikangwa, Shalyne Opisa, Airin Madalina, Valerie Nekesa, Eglay Mukhwana

The new President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam has officially assumed office at the CECAFA headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

He was warmly received by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Hussein Mohamed.

Flanked by CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde and CECAFA Vice President Ali Abdi, Andermariam outlined his bold vision for a more revitalized and impactful CECAFA.

The new President said his mission centers on strengthening institutional structures, enhancing strategic partnerships – particularly with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports – and driving sustainable growth across the region.

Having earlier in the day met Ministry of Youth and Sports CS Elijah Mwangi, he revealed established and ongoing engagements between CECAFA and the Ministry aimed at establishing a permanent CECAFA Headquarters in Nairobi. This is deemed at enhancing CECAFA stability and regional influence.

He emphasized the need for more capacitated human resources to elevate the game, especially as the region—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – prepares to co-host Africa’s biggest football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations.

In his remarks, Hussein Mohamed welcomed the new President, pledging full support and collaboration to ensure CECAFA achieves its strategic objectives.

The event was attended by the CECAFA Vice-President and members of the CECAFA Secretariat, and former FKF Vice President Doris Petra. The new CECAFA President takes over from Alexandre Muyenge who served as the Acting President since late last year.

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) will have seven tournaments in the 2026 season.

The announcement was made during the CECAFA Elective General Assembly which took place on February 7^th in Djibouti.

“We are glad that the competitions committee came up with a calendar and the Executive Committee passed it, and later it was presented to the Assembly,” said the newly elected CECAFA President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam.

According to the calendar, the season will kick off with the CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship from May 30 to June 14^th, 2026.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager also explained that after failing to host the inaugural CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship last year, the regional body is planning to have the tournament take place July 1-5^th this year. “It is long overdue for the Zone to have a Beach Soccer tournament because other Zones like the COSAFA already have one,” added Mossi.

The Zone will also organize the club competition, the CECAFA Kagame Cup from July 18 to August 9^th. The competition is normally used to prepare teams in the pre-season ahead of the start of the Confederation of Africa Football Associations (CAF) competitions.

The Zone will also organize the CAF Women’s Champions League for CECAFA qualifiers, African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers, CAF U-17 African Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers and CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations  CECAFA qualifiers.

CECAFA 2026 competitions

# CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship (May 14-June 14^th)

# CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship (July 1-5)

# CECAFA Kagame Cup (July 18 – August 9^th)

# CAF Women’s Champions League – CECAFA Qualifiers

(August 22 – September 6^th)

# CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA Qualifiers

(August 12-15^th)

# U-17 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers (October 14-19^th)

# U-20 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers

(September 19 – October 10^th)

The media accreditation application window for media interested in covering the CECAFA Elective General Assembly has opened today and will run till February 2nd, 2026.

The CECAFA Elective General Assembly will take place on Saturday, 7^th February 2026 in Djibouti.

Media interested in covering the Assembly will need to process their visas to Djibouti.

Successful applicants will be notified and provided with further information in due course.

-ENDS-

Further Enquiries:

CECAFA Communications