The Harambee Starlets have arrived in Morocco ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), with Kenya’s national women’s team now entering the final phase of preparations for the biggest tournament in African women’s football.
Their arrival marks the beginning of what players and coaches hope will be another landmark moment for Kenyan football as the team prepares for only its second appearance at the continental championship.
After months of training camps and qualification matches, attention has shifted from preparation to performance. The squad is expected to spend the coming days acclimatising to local conditions while polishing tactics before their opening Group A fixture.
Odemba backs her squad to compete
Head coach Beldine Odemba said before the team’s departure that Kenya was travelling with ambition rather than simply hoping to make up the numbers.
“We have prepared well, and the players understand the responsibility of representing Kenya. We are going to Morocco to compete, not just to participate,” Odemba said.
The 24-player squad combines experienced internationals with emerging talent, a blend the technical bench believes can challenge some of the continent’s strongest sides.
Kenya qualified for the tournament after an impressive campaign, earning another opportunity to test themselves against Africa’s leading women’s teams.
A tough group awaits
The Starlets have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, making a positive start essential if they are to reach the knockout stages.
This year’s tournament features an expanded 16-team format, giving more nations the chance to compete while raising the level of competition across the championship.
Beyond the continental title, the stakes are even higher. The tournament also serves as Africa’s qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the best-performing teams earning places on football’s biggest stage.
For Kenya, success would represent another milestone in the steady rise of women’s football, which has gained growing support and visibility in recent years.
Carrying the hopes of a nation
The Football Kenya Federation has expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, saying the Starlets are ready to compete with Africa’s elite.
Supporters back home will be hoping that months of planning and hard work translate into results on the pitch as Kenya seeks to make history at the tournament.
With kickoff fast approaching, the journey is now complete. The focus turns to the matches that could define one of the most important campaigns in the history of Kenyan women’s football.
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