Harambee Starlets will be aiming for a positive start to their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) when they take part in the Four Nations Tournament in Lusaka, Zambia, this weekend.
The tournament, which brings together Kenya, hosts Zambia, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, forms a key part of the Starlets’ build-up to the continental championship scheduled to take place in Morocco from July 25 to August 16. Kenya will open its campaign against Zimbabwe on June 6 before facing hosts Zambia on June 9.
The competition comes at a crucial stage of Kenya’s preparations as the national women’s team seeks to make a strong impression during its second appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Harambee Starlets last featured at the continental tournament in 2016 and will be looking to use the upcoming matches to sharpen their readiness ahead of the competition in Morocco.
Head coach Beldine Odemba has retained the core of the squad that featured during the recent FIFA Women’s Series held in Nairobi while also recalling several players to strengthen the team. Among those returning to the national setup are Emily Morang’a and Vivian Shiyonzo, whose inclusion adds experience and depth to the squad. The Starlets travelled to Zambia earlier this week after concluding their training camp in Nairobi.
The technical bench views the tournament as an opportunity to assess player combinations, improve tactical organization and expose the squad to competitive international football ahead of WAFCON. Speaking before the team’s departure, Odemba emphasized the importance of the tournament in helping the squad continue its development. The coach believes facing strong opposition will provide valuable lessons as Kenya prepares for one of the biggest assignments in the team’s recent history. Kenya enters the tournament ranked 128th in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings, just behind Zimbabwe, who are ranked 127th.
Zambia, meanwhile, are the highest-ranked side in the competition at 64th, making them one of the toughest tests the Starlets will face before travelling to Morocco as Burkina Faso are ranked 118th. The tournament is expected to provide a useful measure of Kenya’s progress following encouraging performances during the FIFA Women’s Series earlier this year.
Football stakeholders hope the matches will help the Starlets build confidence and improve cohesion ahead of the continental championship.Women’s football in Kenya has continued to gain momentum in recent years, with Harambee Starlets playing a significant role in inspiring young players and increasing interest in the women’s game. Qualification for WAFCON has been viewed as another important step in the growth of the sport in the country.
As the tournament gets underway, attention will be on how the Starlets perform against regional rivals Zimbabwe before taking on the challenge of facing hosts Zambia. Strong performances in Lusaka would provide a timely boost for Kenya as preparations for WAFCON enter their final phase.
With continental football just weeks away, the Four Nations Tournament presents Harambee Starlets with an opportunity to test themselves against quality opposition and demonstrate their readiness for Africa’s biggest women’s football competition.
