Odemba plots new approach for Senegal test after Harambee Starlets' poor WAFCON start against Morocco

Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has urged her players to quickly put the painful 4-0 defeat to hosts Morocco behind them and channel their focus towards a must-win Group A clash against Senegal at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Kenya's long-awaited return to the continental showpiece after a decade away began disappointingly in Rabat, where the Atlas Lionesses punished defensive lapses.

Yet rather than dwell on the setback, Odemba believes her side still has a realistic path to the knockout stages if they can respond strongly in their remaining fixtures.

"We have never played against Senegal. They are a different team, so it will require a different approach.

We still stand a chance. We have played against Algeria before. We lost the first match and drew the second match, so that's a team we understand. We are taking one match at a time," said Odemba after the game.

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Starlets had started brightly and nearly stunned the hosts when Tereza Engesha rattled the crossbar inside the opening 10 minutes.

However, Morocco took control after scoring through Sakina Ouzraoui, with Ibtissam Jraidi grabbing a brace to expose Kenya's defensive frailties.

Captain Mwanahalima Adam admitted the result was difficult to take but insisted the players have already shifted their attention to making amends against Senegal.

"The Morocco match is behind us and we have learnt from it.

We will correct the mistakes before facing Senegal. Morocco created their chances and took them well. Our focus is now on the next game, and I hope we get a positive result," she said.

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The experienced midfielder challenged the squad to show character in their response.

"As players, we will give our best. Morocco is a good side and they capitalised on our mistakes."

Teenage forward Valerie Nekesa, who made her first WAFCON start, also refused to let the scoreline overshadow the positives she drew from her performance.

"In the first half, we wanted to score and we had our chances. We need to rectify the mistakes we made against Morocco,

"Being handed my first start was a great opportunity, and I believe I made the most of it," she said.

With Algeria beating Senegal 2-0 in the other Group A fixture, Kenya sit bottom of the standings.

The team heads to Thursday's encounter knowing only a positive result will keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.