WAFCON
Kenya Step Up WAFCON 2026 Preparations with West Africa Friendlies and Europe Camp
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) holding next month in Morocco, has started gathering momentum as teams are announcing their squads and also organising friendly matches.
One of such is Kenya, whose squad has been confirmed by CAFonline even as the country also announced an ambitious build-up programme featuring international friendlies and an overseas training camp.
The Harambee Starlets enter a decisive phase of their preparations with two international friendlies scheduled in West Africa, followed by a residential training camp in Europe.
Kenya will travel to Abidjan on 28 February, where they are set to face Benin on 2 March before taking on hosts Côte d’Ivoire two days later at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé. The fixtures are expected to provide the technical bench with a valuable opportunity to test combinations and assess match readiness against competitive opposition.
Following the West African engagements, the squad will head to Miramas, France, for a training camp running until 15 March. The European camp has been designed to fine-tune tactical systems, sharpen match fitness and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the continental showpiece.
Odemba’s provisional list blends established internationals with emerging talent, signalling both continuity and healthy competition for places. Four goalkeepers headline the squad, while a sizeable defensive contingent reflects the technical team’s emphasis on structure and organisation.
Among those earning call-ups are Kenya Police Bullets trio Annedy Kundu, Medina Abubakar and Lorna Nyarinda, alongside Kibera Soccer Women pair Vivian Shiyonzo and Mary Majeso. Trinity Starlets are represented by Juliet Adhiambo, Elizabeth Muteshi and Mercyline Mejor, with Ulinzi Starlets defender Diana Shakava and Kayole Starlets’ Euphraiser Shilwatso also included.
The squad features a strong youth element, with eight players stepping up from Kenya’s U20 side into the senior fold. Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, Fasila Adhiambo, Valerie Nekesa and Elizabeth Mideva retain their places, while Diana Ochol, Vidah Akeyo and Lornah Faith receive their first senior call-ups.
“We are looking at the bigger picture,” Odemba said. “Integrating players from the U20 team gives us depth and continuity, and it is important for the long-term growth of the national team.”
She added, “The friendly matches and the Miramas camp will allow us to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses in real match situations. Preparation is key. Modern football demands organisation, teamwork and belief.”
Kenya faces a demanding Group A campaign at WAFCON 2026, beginning against the hosts Morocco women’s national football team, on 17 March. They will then meet the Senegal women’s national football team on 20 March before concluding their group fixtures against the Algeria women’s national football team on 23 March.
The extended preparatory programme is expected to give the coaching staff a broader window to evaluate player combinations, address weaknesses identified during the friendlies and solidify tactical discipline as Kenya aims to make a significant impact at the tournament.
By Kunle Solaja.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed, with Africa’s football governing body announcing new dates for the tournament in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will now take place from 25 July to 16 August 2026, instead of the earlier scheduled dates of 17 March to 3 April 2026.
Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the continental showpiece in October 2024, with preparations already underway for what is expected to be one of the biggest editions of the competition. It doubles as the qualification tournament for the Women’s World Cup, as the top four finishers will feature in the global event.
CAF said the decision to move the tournament followed consultations with FIFA and other key stakeholders.
In a statement, CAF explained that the adjustment was made “to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
Although the organisation did not elaborate on the nature of those circumstances, the rescheduling shifts the tournament to the traditional mid-year international football window, which is often more favourable for player availability and logistics.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s flagship women’s football competition and serves as a crucial platform for the development and visibility of the women’s game in Africa.
Morocco, which successfully hosted the 2022 edition of the tournament, is expected to leverage its modern stadium infrastructure and growing reputation as a major football events destination to deliver another high-profile competition.
CAF expressed confidence that the revised schedule will allow all stakeholders to adequately prepare for the tournament.
“Preparations for the WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” the governing body stated.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams competing for continental supremacy, with the rescheduling expected to give organisers additional time to ensure optimal preparations for the event.
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The Confederation of African Football has announced that it will issue an official communication within the next 48 hours regarding the situation surrounding the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
In a brief message posted on social media, CAF indicated that the matter has been under extensive discussion in recent weeks and is currently receiving urgent attention at the highest levels of the organisation.
“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26. There have been several discussions over the past weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high-level attention,” the confederation stated.
Although CAF did not provide specific details about the issue under review, the statement suggests that senior officials within the continental governing body are working toward a resolution.
The development has sparked anticipation across the African football community, particularly among national teams preparing for the women’s continental championship.
The Confederation of African Football is expected to clarify the circumstances and outline the next steps for the tournament when it releases its official update within the stipulated timeframe.
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Reigning African champions Nigeria produced a commanding response, defeating Cameroon 3–1 on Tuesday in the second of their pre-WAFCON international friendlies in Yaounde.
Three days after suffering a narrow 1–0 loss at the Military Stadium, the Super Falcons returned to the same venue. They delivered a far more assured performance, underlining their pedigree as perennial continental powerhouses.
Head Coach Justin Madugu rang the changes, making seven alterations to the starting line-up that featured in Saturday’s defeat. However, it was Cameroon who struck first again, netting in the seventh minute to momentarily raise concerns of a repeat setback.
Nigeria responded with composure and growing authority.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a header from a well-delivered cross by Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser settled the Falcons, who began to dictate tempo and press with greater coordination.
Just before the break, the comeback was completed. After a scramble inside the Cameroonian box, Babajide reacted quickest to fire home in the 43rd minute, turning provider into scorer to give Nigeria a 2–1 lead at halftime.
Madugu’s reshaped midfield proved decisive, pressing higher up the pitch, shutting down central channels and forcing the Lionesses into speculative long balls.
The Falcons extended their advantage in the 64th minute. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, influential down the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area. Michelle Alozie attacked the ball with conviction, launching into a flying header that made it 3–1 and effectively sealed the contest.
Both sides treated the two-match series as crucial preparation for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
For Nigeria, the emphatic victory not only avenged Saturday’s defeat but also reaffirmed their status as Africa’s benchmark in women’s football heading into the continental showpiece.
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