Harambee Starlets Hit by Morocco Storm

Harambee Starlets suffered a painful return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday after Morocco handed Kenya a 4-0 defeat in their Group A opener at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

Kenya had hoped to mark their return to the continental stage with a positive result but the hosts proved too strong exposing weaknesses in the Starlets’ defence to secure a comfortable victory in front of a passionate home crowd.

The defeat leaves Kenya bottom of Group A without a point, with Senegal and Algeria also competing for the two qualification places. Senegal made a winning start earlier in the day, beating Algeria 2-0 to move level with Morocco on three points.

Kenya will now shift focus to Thursday’s meeting with Senegal scheduled for 11pm EAT at the Olympic Stadium.

The Starlets entered the tournament hoping to make history by securing their first-ever point and victory at the WAFCON. Their return was already significant, having qualified for only the second edition in their history after making their debut at the 2016 tournament.

However, standing in their way was an experienced Morocco side making its fifth appearance at the competition and playing on home soil.

Kenya started with encouraging intent and looked capable of causing problems in the opening exchanges. The Starlets showed flashes of attacking ambition and managed to find spaces around the Moroccan penalty area.

Fasila Omondi came close to providing Kenya with a breakthrough in the 24th minute after making an impressive run into the box. She connected with a cut-back but could not generate enough power or accuracy to trouble the Moroccan goalkeeper.

Valerie Nekesa also produced a dangerous delivery into the area moments later, but Eglay Mukhwana was unable to direct her attempt on target.

Those chances would prove costly as Morocco gradually took control and began exploiting gaps behind the Kenyan defence.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Sakina Ouzraoui Diki.

Yasmin Mrabet spotted an opening and released a perfectly weighted pass behind Kenya’s defensive line. Ouzraoui Diki reacted quickly, raced onto the ball and calmly placed her right-footed finish into the bottom corner, leaving Lilian Awuor with little chance.

The goal gave Morocco greater confidence, while Kenya struggled to regain the composure they had shown during the opening stages.

Morocco doubled their advantage less than 10 minutes later.

Maryame Atiq found herself in the right position inside the Kenyan penalty area and rose above the Starlets defence to meet a well-delivered cross. Her header was directed into the bottom corner, giving Awuor no opportunity to keep the hosts from extending their lead.

At 2-0 down, Kenya needed to regroup quickly, but Morocco continued to dominate aerially and remained dangerous whenever they moved forward.

The third goal arrived in the 32nd minute.

Hanane Aït El Haj delivered a dangerous cross into the box, finding Ibtissam Jraidi in a favourable position. The Moroccan forward rose to meet the ball and produced a powerful header that gave Kenya a mountain to climb before half-time.

Jraidi would have the final say immediately after the restart.

Only two minutes into the second half, Sanaa Mssoudy created space down Morocco’s right before sending a low ball across the face of goal.

Jraidi reacted fastest, stretching to make contact and turning the delivery into the net to complete her brace and put Morocco 4-0 ahead.

The goal effectively ended Kenya’s hopes of mounting a comeback, although the Starlets continued to show determination and refused to completely surrender.

Their attacking efforts before the match slipped beyond reach demonstrated that there were opportunities for Kenya to punish Morocco, but the difference between the two sides was ultimately the hosts’ efficiency in front of goal.

Kenya’s defensive problems, particularly in dealing with crosses and aerial balls, proved decisive. Morocco repeatedly found ways to exploit the space around the Starlets’ penalty area, while Jraidi and her teammates showed the composure required to turn those opportunities into goals.

The result represents a difficult beginning for Kenya but does not yet end their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

With two matches remaining, the Starlets have an opportunity to respond against Senegal. However, the task will not be straightforward.

Senegal began their own campaign on a high after defeating Algeria 2-0, meaning they will enter Thursday’s contest with confidence and three points already secured.

Kenya will therefore need a significant improvement if they are to keep their tournament hopes alive.

The Starlets must tighten their defence, especially when dealing with deliveries into the box, while their attacking players will need to be more clinical when opportunities come their way.

The positive for Kenya is that the heavy defeat came with moments where the team demonstrated that they can create chances against quality opposition.

Omondi’s run into the box and the opportunity involving Mukhwana showed that Kenya were capable of finding openings. The challenge now is turning those moments into goals while ensuring the team does not concede cheaply at the other end.

Coach Beldine Odemba and her technical team will also have to work on the psychological side of the defeat. Recovering from a four-goal loss in a major tournament requires character, particularly with another important fixture only days away.

The players will need to put the Morocco result behind them quickly and focus on what remains within their control.

A victory over Senegal would completely change the mood around Kenya’s campaign and give the Starlets a realistic chance of going into their final group match with something to fight for.

After Senegal, Kenya will conclude their Group A campaign against Algeria on August 3.

That match could prove decisive depending on the results of the next round of fixtures.