Kenya’s national women’s football team, the Harambee Starlets, are ramping up preparations for a crucial Group A encounter against Senegal on Thursday at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026).
Following a difficult opening matchday, head coach Beldine Odemba and her squad have refocused their energy on rectifying tactical errors to keep their knockout qualification hopes alive.
After suffering a 4-0 defeat against hosts Morocco in their tournament opener, coach Odemba acknowledged that early defensive lapses and transition management were the primary areas requiring immediate correction.
Speaking during the team’s final training session in Rabat, Odemba expressed confidence in her side’s ability to bounce back: “We are not happy with how things went in the opening game, but we have reviewed the tape and pinpointed where we fell short. Senegal brings a very different physical and tactical dynamic compared to Morocco. Our focus in camp has been on sharpening our defensive structure, remaining patient in buildup, and taking advantage of transition moments.”
Defender Enez Mango echoed her coach’s sentiments, emphasizing defensive discipline and team unity ahead of the high-stakes fixture: “The morale in camp remains high. We know what is at stake for our nation. Senegal is a strong side, but we have worked hard in training to address our mistakes and ensure we stay compact at the back.”
Both Kenya and Senegal enter Thursday’s clash searching for their first points of the tournament, making this Matchday 2 encounter a pivotal hurdle for both nations.
A victory against Senegal would revive Kenya’s ambitions of finishing among the top two in Group A or qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams. Following Thursday’s fixture, the Starlets will complete their group stage campaign against Algeria on August 3.
