The Harambee Starlets are set to kick off their preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with two key international friendly matches against Zambia. Head coach Beldine Odemba confirmed the fixtures on Friday, November 7, 2025, stating this is the first phase of the team's build-up for the continental tournament. The team will travel to Zambia for the encounters, which fall within the upcoming FIFA international window.

This marks a significant moment for Kenyan women's football, as the Starlets are returning to WAFCON after a nine-year absence. Their last appearance was in the 2016 edition held in Cameroon. The qualification for the 2026 tournament, to be hosted by Morocco, was secured after a dominant 4-1 aggregate victory over The Gambia in the final round of qualifiers in October 2025. Mwanahalima 'Dogo' Adam scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 away victory that sealed their spot.

Strategic Test Against a Formidable Opponent

The choice of Zambia, known as the Copper Queens, as an opponent is a strategic one. Zambia's senior women's team has a strong pedigree, having competed in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, becoming the first landlocked African nation to do so for either gender. They also secured a third-place finish at the 2022 WAFCON. Facing such a high-caliber team will provide a stern test for the Starlets and offer the technical bench, led by Odemba, a valuable opportunity to gauge the squad's competitiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Coach Odemba has emphasized the need for thorough and early preparations to avoid a repeat of their 2016 campaign, where they exited in the group stages. "In previous tournaments, we were often caught off-guard due to limited preparation. This time, we want to start early to avoid an early exit," Odemba stated in a recent interview. Her ambition is to not just participate but to compete, setting a target of reaching the semi-finals.

Building a Competitive Squad

The upcoming friendlies will be crucial for squad selection and tactical refinement. Odemba named a 38-player provisional squad for the final qualifiers against Gambia, blending experienced players with promising new talent from the U20 Rising Starlets and domestic leagues. The coach has noted the challenge of monitoring the form of foreign-based players and stated that early and consistent training camps are essential to build cohesion.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has assured the team of its support in securing quality friendly matches during the FIFA windows leading up to the tournament. This support is vital as the Starlets aim for a historic performance in Morocco. The 2026 WAFCON also serves as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, with the top four teams earning a direct ticket to the global showpiece, adding another layer of incentive for the Kenyan side.

The last scheduled friendly between the two nations in April 2021 was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Kenyan government at the time. The last competitive encounter was during the 2020 Olympic qualifiers in 2019, where the Starlets narrowly lost 3-2 on aggregate. The upcoming matches offer a fresh start and a chance for the current squad to write a new chapter in this regional rivalry.

Further details on the dates, venues, and kick-off times for the friendlies in Zambia are expected to be released by the federation in the coming days. The team is anticipated to report to camp soon to begin their preparations for the trip.