- Morocco vs Kenya: Atlas Lionesses outclass Harambee Starlets with a commanding 4-0 victory at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
- The match marked the opening Group A fixture of the WAFCON 2026 tournament on Sunday, July 26.
- Kenya will look to bounce back in their second Group A match against Senegal on Thursday at 11pm (EAT) at the Olympic Stadium.
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets returned to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations stage, but their tournament opener fell flat as they crumbled to a 4-0 defeat against 2026 hosts Morocco on Sunday night at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
It marks only the second time Kenya has featured on the continental stage, and having been drawn in a challenging Group A alongside hosts, Senegal and Algeria, the Starlets needed to begin the tournament on a positive note.
However, in search of both their first-ever point and maiden victory at the competition, they came up against a vastly experienced Atlas Lionesses side making their fifth appearance.
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Backed by a passionate home crowd, Morocco dominated proceedings.
After a cagey opening spell, the Harambee Starlets’ defence was finally breached in the 19th minute as the hosts struck first. Morocco’s Yasmin Mrabet threaded a perfectly timed through ball beyond the Kenyan backline.
Sakina Ouzraoui Diki latched onto the pass, kept her nerve, and slotted it home with her right foot into the bottom corner, beyond the outstretched Lilian Awuor.
Less than ten minutes later, Maryame Atiq doubled Morocco’s advantage, rising highest inside the penalty area to meet a well-delivered cross and head the ball into the bottom corner.
The Atlas Lionesses continued to dominate in the air, and just four minutes later, in the 32nd minute, Kenya’s backline was once again exposed by the Moroccan attack.
Hanane Aït El Haj floated a deep, pinpoint cross into the box, finding Ibtissam Jraidi, who powered home a clinical header to make it 3-0 before the break.
Jraidi was not done yet. Just two minutes into the second half, Sanaa Mssoudy surged down the right flank before delivering a low cross into the area, allowing Jraidi to stretch out a boot and tap home her second goal of the night.
Despite the heavy scoreline, the Harambee Starlets displayed admirable resilience and carved out promising opportunities of their own, particularly before the match slipped away from them.
In the 24th minute, with Kenya trailing by just one goal, Fasila Omondi sparked the attack with a determined run into the Moroccan penalty area.
She connected cleanly with a sharp cut-back, but her effort lacked the finishing touch needed to beat the Moroccan goalkeeper.
Moments later, Valerie Nekesa whipped in an inviting cross, but Eglay Mukhwana’s attempt drifted wide, leaving Kenya to reflect on what could have been a crucial turning point in the contest
The defeat leaves Kenya with plenty to do ahead of their second Group A fixture against Senegal on Thursday at 11pm (EAT) at the Olympic Stadium.
Senegal opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Algeria, leaving the Harambee Starlets rooted to the bottom of the group.
Kenya will then conclude their group-stage campaign against Algeria on August 3.
Morocco vs Kenya – WAFCON 2026 Group A opener– Sunday, July 26 – Line-ups
- Atlas Lionesses: Khadija Er-Rmichi, Zineb Redouani, Nouhaila Benzina, Elodie Nakkach, Ibtissam Jraïdi, Maryame Atiq, Hanane Aït El Haj (C), Sanaa Mssoudy, Sakina Ouzraoui Diki, Yasmin Mrabet, Kautar Azraf.
- Harambee Starlets: Lilian Awuor, Mwanalima Jereko, Vivian Nasaka, Nanjala Leah Andiema, Martha Amunyole, Tereza Engesha, Elizabeth Ochaka, Valerie Nekesa, Eglay Mukhwana, Ruth Ingosi, Fasila Adhiambo.