NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 27 – Having starred in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with her club Slavia Prague this season, 24-year old striker Marjolene Nekesa hopes to reflect the same form for national team Harambee Starlets, as they hunt a ticket to next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Nekesa missed the second round victory over Cameroon as she nursed an injury, but has now regained full fitness and has joined the rest of the team in camp in Nairobi.
“I am delighted to have joined the rest of the team. The camp has been great and the modd is amazing. All players and coaches are ready to face Botswana,” Nekesa said.
She added; “My message to the fans is that I won’t disappoint them. I will do my best to give the team the results that are needed.”
Nekesa has curved a brilliant niche in the Czech republic, being a key figure of the Slavia side both in local competitions and in the Champions League.
She moved to Czech after a season-long stint with Belarussian side Minsk, having moved to Europe after four years in the United States where she played college football as she continued with her studies.
And now, having achieved so much at club level, Nekesa hopes to do the same with the national team as they seek a second ever qualification to the WAFCON.
Starlets have only qualified for the competition once, in 2018.
“Qualifying for the WAFCON is a great opportunity for Kenya. It is a great chance for coaches and players as it will give them a platform for exposure and to advance their careers,” noted the striker.
Meanwhile, the team has also been boosted by the arrival of defender Phoebe Owiti who plays her club football in India. Morocco-based striker Violet Nekesa also joined the team’s camp in the morning on Monday.
Owiti, speaking after her first session, said the team is ready.
“I want to ask the fans to come out in large numbers to give us support and we will not let them down. We are ready, we have trained well and the focus is high,” she noted.
Botswana has already arrived in the country, and had a light training session Monday evening. They will have their official training at the Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
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