2026 Wafcon: Coach Odemba picks positives from Kenya’s loss to Senegal

In the other Group ‘A’ match later on Thursday night, hosts Morocco edged Algeria 1-0 at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat with striker Sanaa Mssoudy scoring the winner in the 84th minute as the Atlas Lionesses bagged a second straight victory.

The loss leaves Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals as one of the top two teams in the group hanging by a thread. Although they are technically out of the competition, Starlets must beat Algeria by more than five goals in their final Group ‘A’ match on Monday, and hope that Morocco beat Senegal by a big scoreline to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

Morocco lead the group with six points from two matches, having opened their campaign with a 4-0 victory over Kenya on  before defeating Algeria 1-0, who are second with three points following a 2-0 win over Senegal in their opening match. Senegal are third with three points, while Kenya are bottom of the table with no point.

Kenya’s coach Beldine Odemba picked positives from the loss and remained optimistic that the Starlets can still keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

“We could have capitalised on our chances, and defended better. The goal we conceded came from our own mistake. Compared to our first game against Morocco, we played much better today, but we failed to make use of the chances we created. We are still in the competition, and we will keep believing until the end. We hope to convert our chances early in the next match and defend better,” said Odemba after the match.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t score, but mentally the players showed great improvement. They kept fighting even after falling behind, and avoided  conceding more goals. It is a work in progress, especially in terms of players mentality. We are moving in the right direction,” she said.

Seynabou Mbengue scored the winning goal in the 35th minute, condemning Odemba’s side to another defeat after their 4-0 loss to hosts Morocco in the tournament opener last Sunday.

Needing victory to revive their quarter-final hopes, Kenya matched Senegal in the opening exchanges. However, the West African team broke the deadlock 10 minutes before the break when Mbengue tapped in a loose ball to the left corner of the net that went past Kenya’s goalkeeper Lilian Awuor.

Coach Odemba had made four changes to the side that lost 4-0 against Morocco in their opening match, reshuffling her defence, midfield and attack.

Defender Vivian Nasaka dropped to the bench, with Euphrasier Shilwatso coming in, while Martha Amunyolette and Valerie Nekesa made way for Mercy Airo and the experienced Violet Nanjala.

She retained her preferred 4-4-2 formation, with Awuor in goal behind a back four of Leah Andiema, Elizabeth Ochaka, Ruth Ingosi and Shilwatso.

Captain Mwanalima Adam marshalled the midfield alongside Teresa Obunyu, Lorna Nyabuto and Airo, while Nanjala partnered Fasila Adhiambo in attack.

Kenya looked the more threatening side for long spells and created the better chances but were punished for a defensive lapse. Nyabuto forced Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye into a routine save in the 16th minute, and  Nanjala tested the shot-stopper three minutes later with a close-range effort from a cross.

Odemba made an early tactical change in the 39th minute, introducing young star Valerie Nekesa for Nanjala in a bid to inject more pace into the attack, but the move didn’t produce an immediate response as Kenya went into the break trailing 1-0.

Starlets continued to press after the restart, with winger Marion Serenge replacing Mercy Airo at the start of the second half. Kenya came agonizingly close to an equalizer in the 66th minute when Shilwatso’s effort struck the post before the rebound fell kindly to Teresa Engesha, whose follow-up also crashed against the post for the second time as Senegal survived the scare. Engesha hit the post again in the 66th minute of the match.

Despite Kenya’s dominance in the second half, squandering many scoring chances, Senegal defended resolutely, with Ndiaye producing several key saves to preserve her side’s slender advantage and earn the Player of the Match award.

The defeat leaves Kenya without a point from their opening two matches and facing an uphill battle to reach the quarter-finals ahead of their final Group ‘A’ clash against Algeria. Senegal, meanwhile, revived their knockout hopes with their first win of the tournament.

The Starlets were left relying on other results to keep their quarter-final hopes alive. They needed Morocco to thrash Senegal by more than five goals and then beat Algeria later on Thursday, while Kenya would have to register a convincing victory over Algeria in their final Group A match to have any chance of progressing.

Starlets produced a much-improved display compared to their opening defeat to Morocco, creating several clear scoring chances. However, they were punished on the counter-attack and failed to convert their opportunities.

Defender Vivian Nasaka, who was on the bench, was disappointed that Starlets missed opportunities despite a spirited display.

“It was a good game, but we didn’t convert our chances. They were physically strong, but we were the better side and created many chances. Unfortunately, we failed to use them,” said Nasaka.

Ingosi said the team deserved more from the match after dominating possession.

“We lost, but we’ll keep pushing. Our finishing let us down. We had clear one-on-one chances but couldn’t score despite enjoying a lot of possession. They made the most of the few chances they created in our box. Sometimes you play well as a team, but the forwards don’t get the goals,” she said.

Senegal midfielder Sadigatou Diallo praised Kenya’s performance, saying the scoreline did not reflect the balance of play.

“I congratulate the Kenyan team. They played well despite missing many chances and should be proud of themselves. It was a difficult match, and we had to keep fighting. They are a good team. We now go back to the hotel to work on our strengths and weaknesses. This victory gives us confidence,” said Diallo.

Nigeria vs Zambia (Al Madina Stadium, Rabat 8 pm EAT)

Egypt vs Malawi (Moulay Hassan, Rabat 11 pm EAT)

Ghana vs Cameroon (Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca, 8pm EAT)

Mali vs Cape Verde (Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca,11pm EAT)