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WAFCON 2026: Morocco vs Kenya match preview and what managers said
26th July, 2026 06:48 AM
Hosts Morocco and returning side Kenya outlined their expectations ahead of their opening TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 fixture during a pre-match media briefing at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
As the countdown to Sunday, July 26, 2026, Group A encounter reached its final day, Morocco spoke confidently about meeting high expectations on home soil, while Kenya embraced the opportunity to mark its return to the continental tournament after a decade away.
Morocco embracing expectations
Morocco head into the tournament carrying significant expectations after finishing as runners-up in each of the last two editions. However, head coach Jorge Vilda and captain Ghizlaine Chebbak insisted that competing before home supporters is a source of motivation rather than pressure.
“Playing at home, in front of our fans and families, will never be a negative. We do not feel that pressure. If anything, we feel the illusion and the excitement of showcasing our football,” Vilda said.
The Spanish tactician, who guided Spain to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup title, explained that responsibility, rather than anxiety, defines his team’s mindset. Morocco has built a balanced squad by blending experienced campaigners with emerging players, having evaluated more than 50 footballers during the past year.
Statistics also provide encouragement for the Atlas Lionesses. Tournament hosts have emerged victorious in 11 of their 13 opening WAFCON matches, suffering only one defeat while drawing once. Host nations are also unbeaten in their last nine opening fixtures.
Chebbak, who claimed the 2025 CAF African Women’s Player of the Year award, shifted the focus away from personal achievements.
“My goal is to bring my best self to the team. Individual accolades are nice, but what really counts are the team trophies.”
The Moroccan captain has been a decisive figure throughout the competition’s history. She is the country’s leading WAFCON scorer with eight goals, and Morocco has won five of the six matches in which she has scored. The only exception came in the 2024 final, where Nigeria defeated the Atlas Lionesses 3-2.
Kenya eager to make an impact
Kenya enters the championship determined to write a different story from its debut appearance in 2016, when the Harambee Starlets lost all three group matches.
Head coach Beldine Odemba credited the team’s recent progress to thorough preparations, including overseas training, successful qualification victories over Tunisia and The Gambia, and participation in the FIFA Women’s Series hosted in Nairobi.
Odemba believes the squad’s youthful core gives Kenya a competitive edge, with many players having featured at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic in 2024.
“These young players bring unique experience to our football. They have already played in a World Cup, they know the demands of the highest level,” she said.
Looking ahead to the challenge against Morocco, she added:
“To grow, you have to face the best. Playing the host nation right from the start is a privilege. We want to get off to a good start and we are ready.”
The opening match will mark Kenya’s first WAFCON meeting with a host nation. The Harambee Starlets are still chasing their first points in the competition and have yet to record a clean sheet at the tournament finals.
Key stats
One of Morocco’s standout records is its remarkable efficiency from the penalty spot. Across the last two WAFCON tournaments, the Atlas Lionesses have converted all six penalties awarded during regulation time. Including shootouts, they have successfully scored 15 consecutive penalties in the competition.
