Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba instructs her players during the women's national team training session at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 6, 2026.

📋 Breaking It Down

Kenya’s Harambee Starlets begin their campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) with a Group ‘A’ match against home team Morocco on Sunday night from 11pm (Kenyan time) at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

The match will be preceded by another Group ‘A’ fixture between Algeria and Senegal from 8pm.

The stakes are high for competing teams since the tournament also serves as Africa’s final qualifier event for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup which will be staged from June 24 to July 25, 2027 in Brazil. All the four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup, while two more teams will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

📌 What You Need to Know

Kenya head to Sunday’s match against the hosts as the underdogs. Coach Beldine Odemba’s side are ranked 124th in the latest Fifa Women’s World Rankings, making them the lowest ranked team in Group A, with hosts Morocco placed 64th, Algeria 74th and Senegal 81st.

Harambee Starlets' Shirleen Opisa (left) dribbles past Valerie Nekesa during the women's national team training session at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 6, 2026.

Starlets are making their second appearance at the continental showpiece after their historic debut in Cameroon in 2016, where they exited at the group stage following defeats to Ghana (3-1), Mali (3-1) and eventual champions Nigeria (4-0).

Morocco, meanwhile, are among the tournament favourites. The Atlas Lionesses reached the final of the last edition on home soil before losing 2-1 to Nigeria and will once again look to home support as they chase a first continental title.

The two sides have met only once at senior level, with Morocco registering a convincing 5-1 victory in an international friendly on home soil last year. Midfielder Fasilah Adhiambo scored Kenya’s consolation goal in the 20th minute. At Under-23 level, however, Kenya have enjoyed better fortunes, recording one win and one draw in two friendly meetings.

Coached by Spaniard Jorge Vilda, who guided Spain to the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup title, Morocco have developed into one of Africa’s leading women’s football nations. Their preparations have been impressive, with friendly victories over Cape Verde (5-0 and 1-0), Malawi (4-2) and Tanzania (4-0). Morocco head to the match buoyed by an emphatic 5-0 victory over Cape Verde in an international friendly match played in Morocco.

📰 Source: Nation Africa