Harambee Starlets end forgettable WAFCON 2026 campaign with 2-0 loss to Algeria
Kenya's Harambee Starlets concluded their 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 loss to Algeria. The defeat leaves the team winless in the tournament after three group stage matches.
Why it matters
The result marks a disappointing end for the Kenyan national team on the continental stage, highlighting the need for development in their women's football program.
Kenya's Harambee Starlets bowed out of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Algeria in their final Group A match on Monday at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
First-half goals from Bristol City midfielder Marine Dafeur and Lynda Bendris secured Algeria's place in the quarter-finals and condemned Kenya to a third successive defeat of the tournament, ending their campaign without a point.
Coach Beldine Odemba made three changes to the side that narrowly lost 1-0 to Senegal in their previous outing. Enez Mango, Martha Amunyolete and Valerie Nekesa came into the starting line-up, replacing Leah Andiema, Lorna Nyarinda and Violet Nanjala.
Algeria took the lead in the 13th minute when Dafeur found the back of the net before Bendris doubled the advantage 10 minutes later to put the North Africans firmly in control.
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