Starlets Stumble in Morocco as CECAFA Showdown Beckons

Kenya’s Harambee Starlets endured a difficult evening in Tangier, falling to a heavy 5-1 defeat against hosts Morocco in an international friendly match on Wednesday night.

It was a night that started brightly for the visitors after conceding an early goal in the 2nd minute, only for Fasila Adhiambo to draw Kenya level with a spirited finish in the 20th minute. That equalizer brought a moment of belief for Beldine Odemba’s side, who went into the halftime break tied at 1-1 against a highly ranked Moroccan outfit.

However, the second half told a different story. The Atlas Lionesses came out firing, netting four unanswered goals and putting the game out of reach for the Starlets, who struggled to contain the home side’s attacking waves.

The loss marks the Starlets’ second consecutive defeat following their April doubleheader losses to Ivory Coast, raising concerns ahead of a crucial month for Kenyan women’s football.

Despite the setback, the Starlets have little time to dwell as attention quickly shifts to the upcoming CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship, scheduled for June 12-22 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The regional showpiece will see Kenya battle against hosts Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and Uganda in a five-nation tournament designed to sharpen East Africa’s top sides ahead of the 2025 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.

Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Kenya Police FC winger Mohammed Bajaber has been ruled out of Harambee Stars’ upcoming friendly matches against Chad after picking up an injury in training. It’s another blow for coach Engin Firat, whose squad also saw veteran Victor Wanyama withdraw from national team duty due to personal commitments.

Harambee Stars are set to face Chad on June 7 and June 10 in Marrakech as part of their CHAN preparations.

As for the Starlets, the CECAFA Championship offers an opportunity for redemption and a chance to get their campaign back on track. The team will be hoping to regroup and deliver stronger performances as they continue their build-up to the continental qualifiers.