Harambee Starlets were held to a hard-fought 1-1 draw by Algeria on Sunday evening in Blida, after conceding a painful equaliser deep into stoppage time. The result, though bittersweet, concludes a vital two-match friendly tour that offered head coach Beldine Odemba a serious test of her squad’s readiness for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

This match was more than a simple warm-up; it was a measure of the team's resilience. Coming just days after a narrow 2-1 loss to the same Algerian side, this improved performance demonstrates clear progress and a fighting spirit that will be essential on the continental stage. For a nation eager to see its team compete, this tour has provided valuable lessons on the road to WAFCON.

A Tactical Shift and a Deserved Lead

After a cagey first half, Coach Odemba’s tactical switch at the break, bringing on Sheryl Muteshi, injected new energy into the midfield. The change paid dividends in the 65th minute when star forward Mwanalima ‘Dogo’ Adam capitalized on a defensive mistake to fire Kenya into a deserved 1-0 lead. This was Adam's third goal across the two friendlies, cementing her status as the team's most potent attacking threat.

The Starlets grew in confidence after the goal, nearly doubling their advantage in the 80th minute. A clever backheel from captain Ruth Ingosi was heroically cleared off the line by a scrambling Algerian defender, a moment that underscored Kenya's dominance in the second half.

Heartbreak at the Whistle

Just as it seemed Kenya had secured a morale-boosting away victory, Algeria struck back. In the 93rd minute, West Ham United player Ines Belloumou found the net, snatching a draw for the hosts and denying the Starlets a win their performance had merited. Despite the late goal, the team showed significant improvement from their first encounter.

• First Friendly: Algeria 2-1 Kenya
• Second Friendly: Algeria 1-1 Kenya
• Kenya's Scorer (both matches): Mwanalima 'Dogo' Adam

Coach Odemba will leave North Africa with a wealth of knowledge on her squad's strengths and areas needing reinforcement. The experience against a strong, higher-ranked opponent is an invaluable part of the building process for a team set to make its first WAFCON appearance in a decade.