The Harambee Starlets have left Kenya for a week-long training camp in Miramas, France, as the national women’s football team enters the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The squad departed on Wednesday after completing its final training session at the Kasarani Annex in Nairobi. The camp in southern France is expected to help the players adapt to weather conditions similar to those they will encounter in Rabat and Marrakech, where Kenya’s group matches will be played.
Head coach Beldine Odemba said the team had made encouraging progress during its preparations and that the camp would provide an opportunity to refine the finer details before the tournament begins.
“We have had a very good camp with friendly matches to gauge the girls. I am happy they are in good form and have shown great determination. Only a few things remain, and we will polish them during our camp in Miramas,” Odemba said.
She added that training in France would allow the players to settle into conditions comparable to those in Morocco, giving them valuable time to adjust before their opening fixture.
The team’s departure follows an official send-off by President William Ruto, who also flagged off the Junior Starlets after their qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Odemba welcomed the gesture, saying it had boosted the squad’s confidence ahead of one of the biggest tournaments in Kenyan women’s football.
“We are very happy to receive a send-off from the president. It motivates us and also challenges us to perform well because he wants to see us reach the latter stages of the tournament,” she said.
Captain Mwanahalima “Dogo” Jereko said the players were determined to make the country’s second appearance at WAFCON one to remember.
“The preparations have been intense, and we thank our coaches for guiding us well. I missed the 2016 WAFCON because I was sitting my national examinations, but this opportunity has come again. I am focused on leading the team and helping us achieve success,” she said.
Kenya returns to the continental finals for the first time in a decade after securing qualification with a 1-0 aggregate victory over Tunisia before defeating The Gambia 4-1 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.
The Starlets made their WAFCON debut in 2016 under then-head coach David Ouma but were eliminated in the group stage after defeats to Ghana, Mali and eventual champions Nigeria. Despite the disappointing campaign, striker Esse Akida scored Kenya’s first goal at the tournament, marking a significant milestone for the national side.
This year’s campaign presents another chance to measure the progress of Kenyan women’s football. The Starlets open their Group A fixtures against hosts Morocco on 26 July before taking on Senegal on 30 July and Algeria on 3 August.
Odemba has set an ambitious target of reaching the semi-finals, a feat that would also strengthen Kenya’s hopes of securing a place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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