Former Harambee Starlets captain and current FIFA Women’s Football Development expert, Doreen Nabwire, has appealed to Kenyan fans to remain patient and supportive as the national women’s team seeks to recover from a heavy opening defeat at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Speaking from her office in Salé, Nabwire addressed the team’s 4-0 loss to host nation Morocco in their Group A opener, emphasizing that the Starlets still have a strong chance to advance by performing well in their upcoming matches against Senegal and Algeria.
Key points from Nabwire’s remarks include:
- Recognition of Morocco’s quality and ambition, noting their preparation and status as one of Africa’s top-ranked teams aiming for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- Confidence in Kenya’s squad, highlighting that qualification was earned through hard work and that maximum points in the remaining group games could secure progression.
- A call for broader improvements beyond the pitch, including addressing infrastructure, coaching, and player welfare issues such as allowances, which affect motivation and performance.
- Encouragement for Kenyan women’s football to dream bigger and target global competitions, reflecting the rapid growth of the sport across the continent.
- A reminder to fans that losses are part of football, urging constructive support rather than criticism, and stressing the importance of learning from setbacks.
Nabwire, who made history as the first Kenyan woman to play professional football in Europe in 2009, drew on her extensive playing experience to stress the need for a supportive environment that enables players to focus fully on their performance.
The Harambee Starlets will face Senegal at the Olympic Stadium on July 30, with kickoff set for 8:00 PM Kenyan time. On the same day, Morocco will play Algeria at Moulay El Hassan Stadium at 11:00 PM Kenyan time.
