Tanzania’s women national team will face giants nine time champions Nigeria in an international friendly match in Casablanca, Morocco on Sunday.

The Twiga Stars will use the match to prepare ahead of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 that kicks-off on July 26^th in Morocco.

Bakari Nyundo Shime, the head coach has made it clear that his team is very prepared for the tournament.

“We are going to face Nigeria and also play a second friendly match with another team before the tournament starts. These friendly matches will help us shape up well ahead of the tournament,” added Shime.

The coach said the team is better prepared than ever, citing improved planning and stronger player management.

Twiga Stars will open their WAFCON 2026 campaign against South Africa on July 27 in Casablanca before facing Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire in the remaining Group B matches.

The tournament featuring 16 teams including Kenya will run from July 26 to August 16^th. It will also serve as the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists earning automatic qualification.

Kenya’s national women’s team has arrived to camp in Miramas, France ahead of the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Morocco will host the WAFCON from July 25^th to August 16^th in different towns.

Head coach Beldine Odemba has made it clear that the training in France will help the team work on several key aspects before the competition kicks off. “I am happy that the Federation has ensured that we travel to France for camp before heading to Morocco,” added Odemba.

The Harambee Starlets will open their Group A campaign against hosts Morocco on July 26 before facing Senegal on July 30^th, and Algeria on August 3.

‎Odemba has made it clear that the team must treat every match like final because their target is to get to the late stages of the tournament.

“Our target is to reach the semi-finals, and we will approach every match with the belief that we can achieve our objective,” said Odemba.

The WAFCON will also serves as a qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The top four teams will qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and two more teams will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

‎Kenya and Tanzania are the two teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) that will feature in the WAFCON.

‎‎‎Squad

Goalkeepers: Annedy Kundu, Lilian Awuor, Vivian Shiyonzo

Defenders: Leah Andiema, Elizabeth Ochaka, Ruth Ingosi, Vivian Nasaka, Enez Mango, Euphrasier Shilwatso, Norah Ann, Mary Nthambi

Midfielders: Mwanalima Adam, Martha Amunyolete, Tereza Engesha, Fasila Adhiambo, Lorna Nyarinda, Mercy Airo, Airin Madalina, Shaline Nambengele

Forwards: Shirleen Opisa, Eglay Mukhwana, Marion Serenge, Violet Nanjala, Valerie Nekesa

Kenya’s Junior Starlets have qualified for the FIFAS U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Coach Mildred Omari Cheche became the first Kenyan coach to guide the Junior Starlets to a second FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after the first one in 2024.

Kenya defeated South Africa 3-1 in the return leg of the final phase of the qualifiers played at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday. The win saw Kenya qualify on a 5-1 goal aggregate.

Cheered on by the home fans, Kenya scored through Gaudancia Maloba, Brenda Awuor and Elizabeth Alizeba, while Katleho Malebana netted for the visiting South African side.

“I am very happy that my players have worked hard and remained focused to win the two legs and qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup,” said Cheche after the match.

Hussein Mohammed, the President Football Kenya Federation (FKF) also praised the team for the hard work. “Congratulations to our Junior Starlets! You’ve done it. Kenya is officially headed to the U-17 FIFA World Cup. This wasn’t luck. This was work,” said the FKF President.

In another match played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, hosts Ethiopia settled for a 1-1 draw against Zambia to bow out 3-2 on goal aggregate.

Kenya now join Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana and hosts Morocco as the five teams that will represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to take place in Morocco later this year.

Kenya’s Junior Starlets have defeated South Africa 2-0 in the first leg of the last phase of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers 2026.

The Kenyan side fresh from participating in the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship took to the filed at the Lucas Moripe Stadium with all eyes targeting victory.

After stopping the earlier attacks by the hosts, Faith Boke gave Kenya the lead after 13 minutes. South Africa tried to fight back strongly but the Kenya Junior Starlets defended well.

The hosts were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes, but Kenyan goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo Ngono was up to the task when she saved it.

After recess Brenda Achieng made it 2-0 for Kenya after 60 minutes. The visitors maintained a good defensive system that stopped the South African attacks.

The return leg will be played on July 12^th at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

In another match of the qualifiers, Ethiopia suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Frida Nadashi gave the hosts the lead after 16 minutes, but Miseret Ayele leveled matters after 42 minutes. The hosts made it 2-1 after 55 minutes through Fida Muzuwa.

The return leg will be played on July 12^th at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa.

Four teams from the African continent will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 that will be hosted by Morocco.

Korea DPR are the defending champions, having lifted the trophy for a third time by defeating the Netherlands in the 2025 final.