Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has urged her side to eliminate costly defensive errors and sharpen their attack ahead of their crucial final Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group A match against Algeria in Morocco.
Kenya’s qualification hopes were left hanging by a thread following a 1–0 defeat to Senegal at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium on Thursday.
Seynabou Mbengue struck the decisive goal in the 34th minute, turning in Ndeye Awa’s cross to help Senegal bounce back from an opening 2–0 loss to Algeria.
The defeat leaves Kenya bottom of Group A with zero points, following a heavy 4–0 loss to hosts Morocco in their opener.
Despite back-to-back setbacks, Odemba remains optimistic, pointing to an improved overall performance against Senegal.
“We would have done better if we had defended well and converted the chances we created,” Odemba noted. “The goal they scored came from our mistake… today we had even better opportunities.”
A lack of clinical edge proved costly for the Starlets. Lorna Nyabuto tested the keeper early on before Terry Engesha missed from a Fasila Adhiambo cross.
Engesha later squandered two second-half one-on-ones against Senegalese goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye.
Defender Vivian Nasaka reflected on the missed opportunities: “Tactically, we had the upper hand and created more chances than Senegal, but they took theirs while we didn’t.”
Senegal midfielder Sadigatou Diallo praised Kenya’s resilience, acknowledging it was a hard-fought victory.
Odemba reshuffled her lineup, making four changes by starting Euphrasier Shilwatso, Nyabuto, Mercy Airo and Violet Nanjala, while introducing Valerie Nekesa, Marion Serenge and Irine Madalina off the bench.
Although Kenya controlled large spells of the second half, they failed to convert possession into goals, relying on goalkeeper Lilian Awuor to make a vital late save to prevent a second.
Morocco’s subsequent 1–0 win over Algeria kept Kenya mathematically alive in the competition.
To stand any chance of advancing, the Starlets must fix their defensive lapses and clinical execution on Monday.
“We are still in the competition, so we have to keep believing,” Odemba said.
