Harambee Starlets ace decries neglect from President Ruto, Sports CS ahead of WAFCON return
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 28.02.26. | 13:22
The midfielder contrasted the attention the team has so far received, as compared to when their male counterparts played in last year's CHAN
Kenyan international Mwanalima ‘Dogo’ Adam has raised concerns over the handling of the Women’s national team, Harambee Starlets, ahead of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign.
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Kenya is set to compete in the continental tourney that will be held from 17 March to 3 April in Morocco, marking their return to the prestigious stage after a 10-year absence.
Ahead of the tournament, the team has pitched camp at Kasarani Stadium, where they have been sharpening their skills.
In what was the last session with the press before departing to Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Saturday, 28 February, where they will play friendly matches against Benin and Ivory Coast on 2 March and 4 March respectively, Adam registered her disappointment with how the team has been handled.
“Since we joined the camp, we have not heard from the President, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports (Salim Mvurya) nor FKF. It has just been ourselves, the technical bench and God,” said Adam.
©Gad IsaacThe HB Koge midfielder went ahead to express the team’s desire to meet President William Ruto and officially receive the flag before departing for the two friendlies, and later a residential camp in France ahead of their campaign.
“We would like to meet the President before leaving. It would be a good motivation to receive blessings from him before departing,” she said.
Adam went ahead to contrast the attention that the team has received as compared to when their male counterparts were competing in the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).
“Support is not just financial. Even visiting the team to show solidarity is support. This is a big tournament. It is WAFCON, bigger than CHAN but it has not been treated as such,” she noted.
Kenya qualified for WAFCON after eliminating The Gambia in a two-legged tie and will now use the opportunity to stage their attempt for a place at the 2026 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Starlets are in group A alongside hosts Morocco, Algeria and Senegal in what has been termed as “the group of death.”