Kenya’s national women’s football team, Harambee Starlets, will be without the services of midfielder Marjolene Nekesa for their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) first-round qualifier against Cameroon.
Head coach Beldine Odemba announced that the Czech Republic-based player from Slavia Praha is sidelined due to injury.
“Marjolene picked up an injury two weeks ago. We had spoken with her and the club as well, and we thought it was manageable. However, after she went for an MRI, it showed that she will not be ready for these matches and has been ruled out,” said Odemba.
The team held its final training session at the Kasarani Annex on Monday, with players like Esse Akida and Mwanahalima Adam joining the squad.
Left-back Enez Mango, who plays for Farul Constanta in Romania, is the last player expected to arrive in camp.
Despite the late arrivals of some key players, Coach Odemba is confident that it won’t hinder team cohesion.
“The players who have arrived late are experienced and have played for the national team before, so they understand the assignment. If you look at them in training, they have already gelled in very well, and the best thing is that they have come in very fit, which is good for us,” she added.
Starlets are set to depart the country for Cameroon on Tuesday evening, ahead of the first-leg match scheduled for Friday.
