2026 Wafcon: Heavy loss to Morocco leaves Harambee Starlets with mountain to climb

Kenya were outclassed by the Atlas Lionesses in the Group ‘A’ clash at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on the Sunday 11pm encounter, leaving Starlets with a mountain to climb in crucial matches against Senegal this Thursday, and the final group match against Algeria on August 3.

Coach Odemba insists that qualification remains within reach for Kenya after correcting mistakes seen ahead of their remaining fixtures.

“We didn’t expect this result. In the first 15 minutes of the match, we contained them well, but after conceding the first goal, we lost concentration. We still have two matches and two more opportunities to fight for qualification to the quarter-finals,” said Odemba.

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She admitted that Kenya struggled to cope with Morocco’s pace, transitions and set-pieces, things she believes ultimately decided the contest.

“We lost the match mostly on the basis of transitions and set-pieces. We also lost concentration from the first minute, but we created chances in the first half that we should have converted,” she added.

Earlier on Sunday, Algeria defeated Senegal 2-0 in the other Group ‘A’ match at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, leaving the north Africans level on three points with Morocco after the opening round of matches.

Odemba said her technical bench will rectify areas of weaknesses and shift focus to Thursday’s meeting with Senegal.

“Our game plan did not work as we had intended, but we still have two more matches. We must make sure we take our chances next time. We will watch Senegal, analyze them and prepare well before Thursday,” she said.

Starlets have never played against Senegal in a competitive international match, but Odemba believes the unfamiliarity could work in her side’s favour.

“The approach will be different because Senegal do not play like Morocco. We have never played them before, but we still believe we have a chance. It won’t be easy, but we will go back to the drawing board, identify what we need to improve and make sure we fight for a win,” she said.

Morocco’s coach Jorge Vilda who guided Spain to the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup title, said the Kenyan side he played against  on Sunday was a much improved team from the one Morocco beat 5-0 in a friendly last year.

“Kenya are a totally different team from the one we played last year. They have improved a lot. We knew it was going to be a difficult match and we prepared well because we wanted to start the tournament with a win,” said Vilda.

The Spaniard singled out Kenya’s goalkeeper Lilian Awuor, striker Teresa Engesha, midfielder Fasila Adhiambo and captain Mwanahalima Jereko as stand-out performers.

“They have quality and can help Kenya become even more competitive going forward,” he added.

Making their first appearance in Wafcon since 2016, Kenya faced a confident Moroccan side backed by a capacity home crowd and experienced players.

The Atlas Lionesses dominated possession from the opening whistle, stretching Kenya with quick passing, overlapping full-backs and dangerous wing play from Sanaa Mssoudy and Sakina Ouzraoui.

Kenya's back four of Vivian Nasaka, Leah Andiema, Elizabeth Ochaka and Ruth Ingosi struggled to contain Morocco’s attacks from wide areas as the hosts repeatedly delivered dangerous crosses into the penalty box.

Missed opportunities

Kenya came close to scoring through forwards Teresa Engesha and Valerie Nekesa in the opening half, but failed to capitalize before Morocco punished defensive lapses to race into a commanding lead.

Engesha had spotted goalkeeper Khadija Errmichi off her line but her efforts went wide.

Moments later, Morocco made their superiority count when Sakina Ouzraoui opened the scoring in the 19th minute after Kenya failed to deal with a swift attacking move.

The Starlets had another golden opportunity six minutes later when Nekesa broke through the Moroccan defence and rounded Errmichi, only to miss the target. Kenya paid dearly for the missed chances.

Defender Maryame Atiq doubled Morocco's lead in the 28th minute before experienced striker Ibtissam Jraïdi added a third four minutes later following another well-worked move down the flanks.

At half-time, Morocco had enjoyed 67 percent of the possession, managed 13 attempts eight on target and completed passes with an accuracy of more than 86 per cent. Kenya registered only six shots, one on target, while recording a pass accuracy of nearly 70 per cent.

Awuor prevented an even heavier score line with a series of outstanding saves as Morocco continued to create clear-cut chances throughout the opening half.

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Odemba attempted to change the game's momentum after the break, introducing Mercy Airo, Shalyne Opisa in the midfiled and Ephrashier Shilwatso in the defence for Martha Amunyolette, Eglay Mukhwana and Vivian Nasaka respectively.

Although the substitutions added fresh energy, particularly Shilwatso in the back right, Kenya continued to struggle against Morocco's relentless pressure.

Any hopes of a comeback disappeared two minutes into the second half when Jraïdi grabbed her second goal of the night to make it 4-0.

Kenya found it difficult to retain possession in midfield under Morocco's high press, allowing the hosts to dictate the tempo throughout the match. Defensive lapses, poor marking and an inability to deal with aerial deliveries further compounded the Starlets' problems.

As fatigue set in, Kenya's discipline also slipped, with substitute Mercy Airo picking up a late yellow card after a mistimed challenge.

The emphatic victory reinforced Morocco as one of the tournament favourites, while Kenya must quickly regroup before Thursday's must-win clash against Senegal if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the knock-out stage alive. On the same day, Morocco will face Algeria. Only two teams will qualify for the knock-out stage.

Morocco's victory moved the hosts level on three points with Algeria at the top of Group A, while Kenya must now beat Senegal on Thursday to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Wafcon quarter-finals.

Sunday results

Algeria 2-0 Senegal

Morocco 4-0 Kenya

Tuesday fixtures (Group C)

Zambia vs Egypt (Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat 8pm Kenya time)

Nigeria vs Malawi (Al Medina Stadium, Rabat 11pm Kenya time)

Wednesday fixtures (Group D)

Ghana vs Cape Verde (Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca 8pm Kenyan time)

Nigeria vs Malawi (Al Medina Stadium, Rabat 11pm Kenya time)