Kenya’s Harambee Starlets faced a tough start at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 after a 4-0 defeat to host nation Morocco on Sunday at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
The loss marked Kenya’s return to the continental finals after a 10-year absence and placed them at the bottom of Group A.
Match Overview
The Atlas Lionesses demonstrated dominance in front of their home crowd, with Ibtissam Jraidi scoring twice, and Sakina Ouzraoui and Meriem Atiq adding one goal each. Morocco’s commanding performance was orchestrated by coach Jorge Vilda.
Coach Odemba’s Response
Following the match, Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba acknowledged the disappointing result but urged Kenyans to stay hopeful:
- "The result is not satisfactory as we had planned," she said.
- "We lacked control during transition phases, but with two group matches remaining against Senegal and Algeria, we aim to correct our mistakes."
- "It won’t be easy, but we expect better results going forward."
Next Steps
Kenya now prepares to face Senegal, who also lost their opening game, making this a crucial encounter to keep qualification hopes alive. Meanwhile, Morocco leads the group, followed by Algeria after their win over Senegal.
The Harambee Starlets’ journey at WAFCON 2026 represents a significant moment for women’s football in Kenya and the broader aspirations of female athletes across Africa.
