Harambee Starlets are set to kick off their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 preparations with two high-profile friendly matches against Zambia. The matches will mark the first phase of the team’s build-up for the continental showpiece scheduled to take place in Morocco next year.
Head coach Beldine Odemba confirmed that the friendlies will be played during the upcoming FIFA window, with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) having already made arrangements to ensure the team gets quality opposition as part of their early preparations. Odemba expressed optimism that the planned fixtures will provide an important platform to assess the squad’s readiness and help fine-tune tactical approaches before finalising the broader training plan.
The Starlets’ qualification for WAFCON 2026 ended a nine-year absence from the tournament, with their last appearance coming in 2016. The Kenyan side sealed their return in emphatic fashion, defeating Gambia 4-1 on aggregate in the final round of qualifiers. A 3-1 win in Nairobi set the tone before a disciplined 1-0 away victory secured their spot in Morocco, with Mwanahalima Adam scoring the decisive goal in the return leg.
Odemba, who recently received the SJAK Coach of the Month award for August, noted that the federation has shown strong commitment to supporting the women’s team as they prepare to make an impact on the continental stage. She highlighted that the friendlies against Zambia will offer valuable experience, considering Zambia’s established record in women’s football, including their participation at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The coach also reiterated her long-term vision of guiding the team not only to a strong performance at WAFCON but also towards qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Harambee Starlets’ group-stage opponents at WAFCON 2026 are yet to be confirmed, as CAF is expected to conduct the official draw closer to the tournament. Sixteen teams have already qualified, including continental giants Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Cameroon, alongside Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Malawi, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia.
With renewed confidence, government backing, and the technical leadership of Beldine Odemba, the Harambee Starlets are looking to make history by not only shining in Morocco but also establishing Kenya as a rising force in women’s football across Africa.
