Harambee Starlets seek redemption against physical Senegal in Rabat clash

Also, on this day, hosts Morocco will play Algeria in the other Group A match at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium at 9pm local time (11pm Kenyan time).

Both Kenya and Senegal lost their opening matches. Kenya were thrashed 4–0 by Morocco on Sunday, while Senegal lost 2–0 to Algeria.

Senegal are favourites for the clash, as they are ranked 79th in the latest Fifa Women’s World Rankings — 49 places above the Starlets. This will be the first time that Kenya and Senegal have met.

Senegal have only played one East African nation at Wafcon: Uganda, whom they beat 2-0 in the group stage in 2022.

Recent form slightly favours Kenya. In their last five international matches, the Starlets have won two, beating Lesotho 4–0 and India 2–0. They lost to Morocco at the 2026 Wafcon. They also lost 1-4 to Zambia on penalties during the Four Nations Tournament in June. Australia beat Kenya 2-0 in the Fifa Series in April.

This is only the second time that the Beldine Odemba-coached side has appeared at Wafcon, following their debut in Cameroon in 2016. The Starlets, the 2021 Cecafa champions, failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2024 editions. The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to Covid-19. Kenya missed the 2022 qualifiers after Fifa suspended the country due to government interference. In the last tournament, they were eliminated in the final qualifying round.

Against the Atlas Lionesses, Lilian Awuor started in goal, while Vivian Nasaka, Leah Andiema, Elizabeth Ochaka and Ruth Ingosi formed the defence. Captain Mwanalima Adam, Martha Amunyole and Teresa Engesha anchored the midfield. Valerie Nekesa, Glya Mukhawana and Fasila Adhiambo led the attack.

The Starlets struggled to keep the ball against Morocco’s pressure. Defensive errors, poor marking and an inability to deal with high balls further exposed Kenya.

Odemba expects a tough match against Senegal, who are a physical team, but believes her players are ready for it.

“Senegal are a very physical team. They run a lot and are well built. They use this to their advantage. We understand the challenge and are ready to match them,” she told a press conference in Rabat yesterday.

She added, “We have been working on improving the players’ composure to ensure they can maintain their concentration for the full 90 minutes and create and convert more chances.”

The coach said that the squad had recovered mentally from their opening defeat and were determined to bounce back.

“Our focus has been on preparing them mentally, so that they are ready for the challenge. We also need to improve our conversion rate. We created two clear chances early on against Morocco. Had we taken them, it would have been a different story.”

Despite the heavy defeat, defender Enez Mango said the squad remains united and hopeful. “This is an important match for all of us. We are confident that we can win,” he said.

“Our performance against Morocco was not what we expected, but we are feeling positive as we head into the next game. We are feeling confident. We are eager to bounce back after losing the first match,” she said.

Meanwhile, Senegal have only managed one win in their last five matches, all of which were friendlies: a 1-0 victory over Egypt early this month, a 3-3 draw against Burkina Faso in April, and a 1-0 loss to Egypt this month. Nigeria beat Senegal 3-0 last month before they lost 2-0 to Algeria at the 2-26 Wafcon.

This is Senegal’s fourth appearance in the Wafcon finals, following their debut in Equatorial Guinea in 2012, where they exited at the group stage after losing all three group matches against the DRC, South Africa, and the hosts.

The Lionesses returned for the 2022 finals in Morocco, reaching the quarters after finishing second in Group A with six points. They beat Uganda 2–0 and Burkina Faso 1–0, but then lost 0–1 to Morocco. Their run ended in the quarter-finals after losing to Zambia 4-2 on penalties.

At the 2024 tournament, also held in Morocco, Senegal once again made it to the quarter-finals after finishing third in Group A with three points. They beat the DRC 4–0, but then lost 3–2 to Zambia and 1–0 to Morocco. South Africa also ended their campaign in the quarter-finals, winning 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw.

Senegal became the first and only nation to win the West African Football Union Women’s Cup in both 2022 and 2023.

Senegal coach Mame Moussa Cissé has cautioned against underestimating Kenya, insisting the Starlets have earned their place and have the quality to challenge any opponent.

“If Kenya has qualified for this tournament, it means they deserve to be here. They have a fighting spirit and talented players. We know they will come into this match determined to bounce back after their first game,” he said.

Senegal captain Ndeye Awa Diakhaté and goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye are players to watch. Ndiaye, who plays for Bourges FC, kept a clean sheet throughout the Wafcon qualifiers, earning her nominations for the 2025 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Women’s Young Player of the Year awards. Called up to the senior national team at just 16, Ndiaye is renowned for her quick reflexes, composure, and commanding presence in goal.

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