NAIROBI, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will play two international friendly matches against Uganda and Ghana as part of their preparations for the African Women's Cup of Nations to be staged next month in West Africa.
The national team, Harambee Starlets, returns to the continental tourney after their appeal was upheld by Confederations of Africa Football (CAF) over Equatorial Guinea, who had edged Kenya out 3-2 in the qualifiers. However, the West Africa side had fielded ineligible players and has since been banned by CAF.
Kenya now joins champions Nigeria, host Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia for the two week tourney, which starts on Nov. 17 to Dec. 1 in Kumasi and Accra, Ghana.
The top three finishers will secure automatic places at next year's FIFA Women's World Cup to be hosted in France.
Kenya's head coach David Ouma Kenya will not fear any rival and will take the game to their opponent's doorstep. Kenya, in Pool B will start off against Zambia, before facing Nigeria and South Africa.
"We are in a tighter group because all the teams that have reached this stage of competition are big teams. You don't expect any favors at this level. That is why I say everything is possible," said Ouma on Friday in Nairobi
"My team has now more experience having debut at the 2016 tourney. We are more than ready and the two friendly matches will boost our morale and stage fright problems,"he added.
In their debut in 2016 in Cameroon, Kenya was ranked last after they went down to Ghana and Mali in identical 3-1 scores before a 5-0 thumping by champs Nigeria.
In 2015, Kenya lost to South Africa 2-0 in the Rio Olympics qualifiers and last year they lost 4-2 on penalties to Zambia in regional tourney.
But that has not dampened Ouma's spirit as he named a 32-member squad to report to camp on Monday.
"The losses were critical in shaping our destiny. The players are now hungry and yearning for success. Ghana 2018 will be our Launchpad and I believe it is time for Kenya to rise and shine," added Ouma.
The coach has summoned U.S. based striker Marjolene Nekesa, Esse Akida (Israel) in his squad. The team leaves for Ghana on Nov 14.
