2026 WAFCON: Harambee Starlets begin journey with tough Morocco test
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 26.07.26. | 08:00
Morocco head into the match in impressive form, unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions,
The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) gets underway on Sunday, with Kenya's national women's team, Harambee Starlets, taking on hosts Morocco at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. Kick-off is scheduled for 23 hours.
Harambee Starlets return to the continental showpiece for the first time in a decade and have been drawn in a challenging Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria.
The Beldine Odemba-coached side will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their only previous appearance in 2016, when they exited at the group stage after losing all three of their matches.
They face a formidable Moroccan side that will enjoy home support as it looks to make the perfect start to its campaign.
Harambee Starlets booked their place at WAFCON after defeating The Gambia 5-1 on aggregate in the qualifiers.
Morocco head into the match in impressive form, unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, with six of those victories coming by margins of two goals or more.
The two nations have met only once before, with Morocco recording a 5-1 victory. Kenya's lone goal in that encounter was scored by Fasila Adhiambo, who will once again be hoping to inspire the Starlets to an upset 25 years later.
Speaking ahead of the match, head coach Beldine Odemba acknowledged the challenge posed by the hosts but expressed confidence in her team's ability to compete.
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"We know we are coming back to WAFCON after a 10-year absence, but we believe we have what it takes to upset the hosts.
"The postponement of the tournament was a blessing in disguise because it gave us the opportunity to build the team through the friendly matches we played," said Odemba.
Captain Mwanalima Adam also expressed confidence ahead of the opener, saying the team is ready after an intensive month-long preparation programme.
"We are all psyched up and ready for the match. The coaches have done their part, and now it is our turn to implement what we have worked on," she said.
