Harambee Starlets to fine-tune WAFCON preparations in Zambia after tournament invite

Kenya’s women national football team, Harambee Starlets, will head to Zambia in June for a Four Nations Tournament as part of their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The tournament, set to be staged in Lusaka, will feature hosts Zambia, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, with all four nations using the matches to fine-tune their squads ahead of major international assignments.

For the Harambee Starlets, it will be another opportunity to test themselves against quality opposition after taking part in the FIFA Series hosted in Kenya in April.

During that competition, Kenya defeated India 2-0 in the semi-finals before losing 2-0 to Australia in the final, with Malawi also among the participating teams.

Head coach Beldine Odemba said the April tournament offered valuable lessons for the team, especially after facing non-African opposition for the first time.

“We have never played a team outside Africa, and we are happy that we played against a big team, and the girls gave their best. We got numerous chances, and now we really know that we need to work on our chances.”

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The tactician expressed confidence in the progress made by the squad as they continue building towards WAFCON.

“As a coach, as technical bench, we are very confident with the team we have, we shall go to WAFCON and perform well.”

Odemba also hailed the impact of the FIFA Series in helping the technical bench evaluate the team.

“FIFA Series has enabled us to see where we are, to see how we are, to see what we are to work on, and I am really proud of the girls. They are doing well, and we are confident going to the WAFCON.”

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The Starlets coach further praised the unity and commitment shown by her players.

“I am impressed with the whole team, not only the centre backs, but the whole team. They played as a team, they gave their best, and so far we feel we have built a team ready for the WAFCON.”

Kenya will open their campaign in Lusaka against Zimbabwe on 6 June before facing Zambia on 9 June.

Burkina Faso will take on Zambia and Zimbabwe in the other scheduled fixtures, although organisers are yet to clarify the full tournament format.

The tournament forms part of Kenya’s build-up to the 2026 WAFCON finals in Morocco, where the Harambee Starlets will make their second appearance at the continental showpiece after their historic debut in 2016.

The 2026 WAFCON tournament is scheduled to run from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco.

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