Optimism rent the air as Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba and goalkeeper Lilian Awuor faced the media on the eve of their final 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group A match against Algeria.
The duo, despite resigning to the widely accepted fate of resignation, carried much belief heading into their do-or-die game set for Monday, 3 August (2300 EAT) at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Starlets, competing at their first WAFCON in a decade, have found the going tough in Morocco, stumbling to two shut-out defeats to the hosts (4-0) and Senegal (1-0), to virtually have one foot out of the competition. With progression to the quarter-finals out of their hands, Kenya must rely on the other Group A teams to keep alive their target of reaching the last four.
As permutations go, Starlets must beat Algeria by more than two goals on Monday night, and hope that Morocco registers victory over Senegal, to stand a chance of progression via the tie-break.That breakdown, as per the utterances from the Kenyan camp on Sunday, 2 August, seemed achievable.KSSSA: St. Mary’s Yala, Highway brave Thika cold to begin national title chase with victories“We are still positive of qualifying,” Odemba said. “We still have 90 minutes to play, and we will give our best.
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We will play like its the first match; fight, and get something out of it at least.”Awuor, who has so far conceded five goals at this year’s tournament, did not seem to read from a different hymn-sheet, emphasizing the crazy nature of the game.Harambee Stars defender suffers injury blow in England“It is not over until it’s over,” the Romanian-based keeper said. “We still have an opportunity. Football has surprises, and maybe we can give our best to win, and maybe qualify. You never know, because we are prepared. We are still strong mentally, and we believe 90 mins will decide tomorrow.”Happening concurrently with their match will be the Morocco versus Senegal game, which will be staged at the Stade Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium.