- Senegal vs Kenya: Harambee Starlets narrowly lost 1-0 to the Lionesses of Teranga, exiting the 2026 WAFCON with one group match still to play.
- Seynabou Mbengue’s first-half strike on Thursday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat proved enough to hand Senegal all three points.
- Despite having one match remaining against Algeria on Monday, Kenya are mathematically eliminated.
Hapless Kenya’s women’s senior team, Harambee Starlets, saw their hopes of reaching the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals come to a frustrating end on Thursday evening after they narrowly lost 1-0 to a fortunate Senegal side at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
A first-half defensive lapse handed Senegal a rare opportunity in the 35th minute, and Seynabou Mbengue’s solitary strike shattered Kenya’s dreams of not only reaching the knockout stage but also securing a first-ever WAFCON victory and their maiden point at the tournament.
It all came down to the fact that, although they still have one final Group A fixture against Algeria on Monday, Beldine Odemba’s side will only be playing for pride.
Even if they win, they cannot finish above either Senegal or Morocco because head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker for teams level on points. That means Kenya are mathematically out of the 2026 WAFCON with a game to spare.
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Heading into this second defeat, Harambee Starlets had already suffered a 4-0 thrashing to hosts Morocco and needed nothing less than a response.
That looked likely in the opening stages as Kenya dominated the early exchanges. Within the first 20 minutes, they repeatedly threatened Senegal’s final third but failed to convert their chances.
Their best opening came in the seventh minute when a cross from the left found Lorna Nyabuto inside the box. Her effort was parried into the path of Mwanalima Adam, whose follow-up shot sailed over the bar in what was a glorious chance to take the lead.
Harambee Starlets remained on top until five minutes after the half-hour mark when their defence was caught out on the counterattack.
Awa Casset managed to beat Ruth Ingosi about 25 yards from goal before slipping a pass to the right wing, where Mbengue was left unmarked.
She fired home to give Senegal a rare lead in a match they had struggled to influence. The goal was confirmed after nearly two minutes of VAR checks for a possible offside and foul in the build-up.
Kenya coach Odemba was forced into an early substitution, introducing Valarie Nekesa for Violet Nanjala to inject fresh energy into the attack.
However, Kenya still struggled to fashion clear opportunities. Just before the break, Casset nearly doubled Senegal’s advantage, but Lilian Awuor got a hand to her effort before it struck the woodwork, giving Kenya hope as they went into halftime trailing by a single goal.
Marion Serenge came off the bench in the second half and, just two minutes after the hour mark, saw her first effort agonisingly drift wide.
Four minutes later, the Starlets carved out another clear-cut opportunity when Euphrasier Shilwatso’s powerful long-range volley crashed against the woodwork.
Goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye got fingertips to the ball, pushing it back into the box, where Tereza Engesha’s follow-up was blocked.
The rebound then fell to Serenge, whose effort was also intercepted, denying Kenya what looked destined to be the equaliser.
Engesha had another opportunity 10 minutes later after breaking through on the left.
Her shot struck the woodwork, and the rebound once again fell to captain Mwalalima Adam, whose effort was saved by the Senegal goalkeeper for a corner that ultimately came to nothing.
That proved to be Kenya’s final clear opportunity as Senegal held on for the narrow victory to keep their quarter-final hopes alive while denying Kenya both a point and a first-ever WAFCON win in their second appearance at the continental tournament.
Kenya will face Algeria on Monday, while Senegal take on hosts Morocco.
Senegal vs Kenya – WAFCON Group A, Matchday Two– Thursday, July 30, 2026
- Harambee Starlets: Lilian Awuor, Leah Andiema, Ruth Ingosi, Elizabeth Ochaka, Euphrasier Shilwatso, Mwalalima Adam, Mercy Airo, Lorna Nyabuto, Fasila Odhiambo, Tereza Engesha, Violet Nanjala (Valarie Nekesa).
- Senegal: Adji Ndiaye, Mareme Babou, Walimata Ndiaye, Mbayang Sow, Adama Sané, Aissatou Fall, Bineta Korkel Seck, Sokhna Pene, Seynabou Mbengue, Nguenar Ndiaye, Awa Casset.