Kenya’s national women’s football team, the Harambee Starlets, has departed for a week-long training camp in Miramas, France, as part of the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) set to be held in Morocco. Before leaving the country on Wednesday, the Starlets wrapped up their last local training session at the Kasarani Annex. The technical bench believes the French camp will provide the ideal environment for the players to fine-tune their game while adapting to weather conditions similar to those expected in Morocco during the tournament.
Odemba Confident Ahead of Continental Showpiece
Head coach Beldine Odemba expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress after several weeks of intensive training and friendly matches. According to Odemba, the build-up has given the coaching staff enough time to assess the squad’s readiness, with only a few tactical areas left to refine during the France camp. She noted that Miramas offers climatic conditions comparable to host cities Rabat and Marrakech, making it the perfect location for the team to complete its preparations before the tournament kicks off.
Presidential Send-Off Boosts Team Morale
Odemba also welcomed the government’s support after President William Ruto officially flagged off both the Harambee Starlets and the Junior Starlets, who recently secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. She said the presidential recognition serves as both motivation and a reminder of the expectations placed on the team, adding that the players are determined to make the country proud by progressing deep into the competition.
Captain Jereko Eyes Historic Campaign
Team captain Mwanahalima “Dogo” Jereko believes the squad is fully prepared for the challenge ahead. The experienced midfielder praised the coaching staff for the quality of preparations and reflected on missing Kenya’s historic 2016 WAFCON appearance due to national examinations. She said earning another opportunity to represent the country at Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament is special and vowed to lead the team with determination.
Kenya Returns to WAFCON After Ten-Year Wait
The Harambee Starlets booked their place at the 2026 WAFCON after overcoming Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate before comfortably defeating The Gambia 4-1 over two legs in the final qualifying round. The qualification marks Kenya’s second appearance at the continental championship and ends a decade-long absence since the team’s debut in 2016. During that maiden campaign under former coach David Ouma, Kenya exited in the group stage after facing Ghana, Mali, and eventual champions Nigeria. Despite the difficult outing, striker Esse Akida made history by scoring Kenya’s first-ever goal at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Tough Opening Fixtures Await in Morocco
Kenya will begin its WAFCON 2026 journey against tournament hosts Morocco on July 26 before taking on Senegal on July 30 and Algeria on August 3 in the group stage. With preparations entering the final stretch, Coach Odemba has set ambitious targets for the team, hoping the Starlets can reach the semi-finals and secure qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The upcoming training camp in France is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring the squad is physically, tactically, and mentally ready for one of the biggest tournaments in Kenyan women’s football history.
