Both the Junior and Senior Starlets, known as Harambee Starlets, were in international action on Friday night, participating in friendly matches in Morocco and Ivory Coast, respectively, as part of their preparations for the upcoming qualifiers.
The Junior Starlets, aiming for a second consecutive appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, played to a 1-1 draw against the hosts, Morocco U-17, who have already secured their place at the global tournament.
In the match, the Junior Starlets found themselves on the back foot as they conceded the first goal but managed to level the scores through Elizabeth Ochaka.
Coached by Mildred Cheche, the juniors are preparing for their crucial final-round World Cup qualifying double-header against Cameroon. The first leg is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, at Nyayo Stadium, with the return leg set for April 25 in Yaoundé.
Meanwhile, in Abidjan, the Harambee Starlets, under the guidance of coach Beldine Odemba, lost 2-0 to the hosts, Ivory Coast, in their friendly match in preparation for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final-round qualifier against Gambia.
Coach Beldine Odemba gave Faith Mboya and Tabitha Amoit their maiden debuts, and although the players performed well, the team ultimately fell 2-0 to the hosts.
Kenya will host the first leg of the WAFCON qualifier on October 20 at Nyayo Stadium, with the return leg taking place on October 28 in Banjul.
