Kenya is preparing for a landmark comeback to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2026, with head coach Beldine Odemba insisting her Harambee Starlets can challenge the continent’s elite despite a daunting group and a decade-long absence from the tournament.
The East African side, returning to the continental showpiece for the first time in 10 years, has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal and Algeria.
Odemba, however, says the draw has only sharpened her team’s focus and belief.
Sub-headline: ‘Not an easy group’ but Kenya ready for battle
The Harambee Starlets have previous experience against two of their three group opponents and will lean on that knowledge as they attempt to defy expectations.
« Ce n’est certainement pas un groupe facile. Nous avons deja affronte le Maroc et l’Algerie, nous connaissons donc leurs points forts et savons comment aborder ces matchs. Le Senegal est la seule equipe que nous n’avons pas encore rencontree, mais nous nous attendons a un match tres difficile. Ces matchs nous mettront a l’epreuve, mais ils seront aussi l’occasion de montrer a l’Afrique que nous sommes prets a rivaliser au plus haut niveau. Aussi difficiles que soient ces rencontres pour nous, elles ne seront pas faciles non plus pour nos adversaires », explique Beldine Odemba, selectionneure du Kenya a la CAF.
Morocco, buoyed by recent investment and a strong showing at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the 2023 Women’s World Cup, are widely viewed as one of the favourites. Algeria bring physicality and experience, while Senegal’s women’s side has grown steadily in recent cycles.
Kenya, by contrast, are rebuilding their reputation on the African stage, having missed the last several editions of the tournament amid administrative and developmental challenges within the domestic game.
Sub-headline: World Cup ambitions drive fearless approach
Despite the difficulty of their group, Odemba insists that facing heavyweight opponents early in the competition is not a disadvantage but a necessary step in Kenya’s evolution.
« Si notre objectif est de nous qualifier pour la Coupe du monde, nous devons etre prets a affronter et a battre les meilleures equipes. D’une certaine maniere, les affronter des le debut peut nous aider a gagner en confiance. Je ne suis absolument pas inquiet car j’ai une confiance totale en mes joueurs », a-t-elle declare.
The coach has made clear that qualification for the Women’s World Cup is the long-term objective, and sees WAFCON 2026 as both a proving ground and a springboard.
Kenya’s last appearance at the continental finals came in 2016, when they failed to progress beyond the group stage. Since then, the landscape of African women’s football has changed significantly, with more nations investing in professional structures, youth development and competitive domestic leagues.
Sub-headline: Opportunity to show Kenya belong at ‘highest level’
Odemba believes this new era presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The group phase, she says, will be a crucial barometer of how far Kenyan women’s football has come and how far it still needs to go.
Facing the tournament hosts in front of a home crowd and two physically imposing West and North African sides will test Kenya’s tactical organisation, technical quality and mental resilience.
Yet, in the coach’s view, those same matches offer a rare chance to change perceptions and send a message beyond their borders: that Kenya belong among Africa’s strongest women’s teams.
The Harambee Starlets now face months of preparation, including friendlies and training camps, to fine-tune their squad before they step back onto the continental stage.
Their task in Group A is formidable. But with a clear target of reaching the Women’s World Cup and a coach publicly backing her players, Kenya will arrive at WAFCON 2026 intent on turning a historic return into a genuine breakthrough.
