Harambee Starlets leave for France to fine-tune ahead of WAFCON
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 15.07.26. | 21:37
The tactician added that the camp would play a key role in helping the players adjust to conditions ahead of the continental showpiece
Harambee Starlets departed for a week-long training camp in Miramas, France, as preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) enter the final stretch ahead of the tournament in Morocco.
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The national women's team flew out on Wednesday after their final training session.
The camp, in France, is expected to help the players acclimatize to weather conditions similar to those they will experience in Rabat and Marrakech during the tournament.
Head coach Beldine Odemba expressed satisfaction with the team's preparations, saying the technical bench had used the recent training camp and friendly matches to assess the players' readiness before shifting focus to fine-tuning the squad in France.
"We have had a very good camp with friendly matches to gauge the girls. I am happy they are in good form and have shown great determination. Only a few things remain, and we will polish them during our camp in Miramas," said Odemba.
The tactician added that the camp would play a key role in helping the players adjust to conditions ahead of the continental showpiece.
Odemba also welcomed the morale boost the team received after President William Ruto officially flagged off both the Harambee Starlets and Junior Starlets before their respective international assignments.
"We are very happy to receive a send-off from the president. It motivates us and also challenges us to perform well because he wants to see us reach the latter stages of the tournament," she added.
Team captain Mwanahalima "Dogo" Jereko said the players are determined to make history after months of preparation.
"The preparations have been intense, and we thank our coaches for guiding us well. I missed the 2016 WAFCON because I was sitting my national examinations, but this opportunity has come again. I am focused on leading the team and helping us achieve success," she said.
Kenya booked only their second appearance at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after eliminating Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate before defeating The Gambia 4-1 on aggregate in the final qualifying round, ending a ten-year wait for a return to the continental stage.
Starlets made their tournament debut in 2016 under David Ouma but bowed out at the group stage after defeats to Ghana, Mali, and eventual champions Nigeria.
Despite the early exit, Esse Akida made history by scoring Kenya's first-ever goal at the competition.
Kenya will begin their Group A campaign against hosts Morocco on 26 July, before taking on Senegal on 30 July and Algeria on 3 August.
Odemba will be hoping to guide the Starlets beyond the group stage and into the semi-finals, a feat that would also secure a historic place at the FIFA Women's World Cup.