The Harambee Starlets squad upon arrival in Morocco /HANDOUT
Kenya's national women's football team, the Harambee Starlets, have safely arrived in Morocco ahead of the start of the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), with the squad shifting its focus to final preparations for the continent's premier women's football tournament.
The team landed in the North African nation just days before the competition kicks off, marking the beginning of Kenya's long-awaited return to the continental showpiece.
The Starlets, under the guidance of head coach Beldine Odemba, are expected to hold several training sessions to acclimatise to the conditions and fine-tune tactics before opening their campaign.
Kenya heads into the tournament buoyed by months of preparation and confidence after securing qualification for only their second appearance at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking before the team's departure, Odemba expressed confidence in her players, saying the squad had worked hard in training and was ready to compete against Africa's best.
"We have prepared well, and the players understand the responsibility of representing Kenya. We are going to Morocco to compete, not just to participate," Odemba said.
The 24-player squad blends experienced campaigners with emerging talents, giving Kenya hope of making a strong impression in a tournament that has been expanded to 16 teams.
The expanded format offers more opportunities for nations to compete at the highest level of African women's football while also raising the standard of competition.
Kenya has been drawn in Group A, where they face the challenge of taking on hosts Morocco alongside other group opponents. A positive start will be crucial if the Starlets are to progress to the knockout stages and keep alive their dream of a historic run in the competition.
The 2026 Wafcon, scheduled to run from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco, also carries additional significance as it serves as the African qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Teams reaching the latter stages will not only compete for continental glory but also secure a place on football's biggest global stage.
For the Harambee Starlets, the tournament represents an opportunity to showcase the rapid growth of women's football in Kenya and inspire a new generation of players back home. Football Kenya Federation has expressed confidence that the team is well prepared and capable of competing against the continent's elite.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, Kenyan fans will be hoping the Starlets can translate their thorough preparations into positive results and write another memorable chapter in the country's women's football history.
The team's arrival in Morocco signals that the final phase of the journey has begun, with the focus now firmly on delivering strong performances on the continental stage.
A Harambee Starlets player flashes a confident smile and gives a thumbs-up as the Kenyan squad arrives in Morocco ahead of the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations /HANDOUT
A Harambee Starlets player arrives at the team hotel with luggage in tow, wearing a broad smile as Kenya completes its journey to Morocco for the 2026 Wafcon /HANDOUT
