Kenya's national women's football team, the Harambee Starlets, officially began preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as the squad reported to camp in Nairobi on Friday, 21 November 2025. The assembly marks the formal start of their campaign for the continental tournament, which is scheduled to be held in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April 2026.

This campaign carries heightened significance as the WAFCON 2026 tournament will also determine Africa's four representatives for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The team has set a clear and ambitious target of reaching the semi-finals to secure a historic, first-ever qualification for the global showpiece.

Road to Morocco and Renewed Ambitions

The Starlets secured their spot in the 16th edition of WAFCON after a nine-year absence, following a commanding 4-1 aggregate victory over The Gambia in the final qualification round in October 2025. The decisive 1-0 victory in the second leg, played in Thiès, Senegal, was secured by a goal from forward Mwanalima 'Dogo' Adam. This qualification marks Kenya's second-ever appearance at the tournament, the first being in 2016.

The successful qualification has been hailed as a significant milestone for women's football in the country, symbolizing a revival after a challenging period. The achievement was celebrated by government and federation officials, with President William Ruto awarding each player KSh 1 million for their performance.

Algeria Friendlies: The First Test

The team's immediate focus is a pair of high-profile international friendlies against Algeria, scheduled for Wednesday, 26 November and Sunday, 30 November 2025, in Bilda, Algeria. Head Coach Beldine Odemba has named a 23-player squad for the tour. These matches against Algeria, ranked 80th in the FIFA Women's World Rankings, are considered a crucial first test to gauge the squad's readiness and tactical cohesion ahead of the continental championship.

Coach Odemba has introduced several new players to the squad that overcame Gambia. Zetech Sparks defender Sheryl Muyera earns her first senior national team call-up, while Vihiga Queens' midfielder Providence Mukalo makes a return. Other additions include Emily Moranga, Valerie Nekesa, and Euphraiser Shilwatso. However, the team will be without Ulinzi Starlets' Tabitha Amoit and Lavender Ann, who are undergoing military training, and forward Violet Nanjala, who is recovering from an injury.

Strategic Context and Future Outlook

The Starlets' return to Africa's premier women's tournament aligns with the Football Kenya Federation's (FKF) strategic plan for women's football, launched in July 2021. The plan outlines five key pillars for development: grassroots and youth football, leagues and competitions, national teams, capacity building, and marketing. A primary goal of the strategy is to guide Kenya towards a historic qualification for the Women's World Cup.

The upcoming WAFCON tournament in Morocco will be the third consecutive edition hosted by the North African nation and the first to feature an expanded format of 16 teams, up from 12. As the Harambee Starlets embark on this journey, their performance will be a key indicator of the progress made under the national strategy and a source of inspiration for the continued growth of women's football in Kenya and the wider East Africa region.