Harambee Starlets fall 5-1 to Atlas Lionesses in friendly

Harambee Starlets in action in a friendly against Morocco at the Village Sportif de Tanger Stadium, Tangier [FKF]

Kenya's women's national football team suffered a tough defeat at the hands of Morocco last night, losing 5-1 in a friendly match played at the Village Sportif de Tanger Stadium in Tangier.

The fixture was part of Harambee Starlets' preparations ahead of major upcoming tournaments.

The hosts opened the scoring early, finding the net in the sixth minute, but Kenya responded swiftly with a well-executed strike to level the tie from forward Fasila Adhiambo 10 minutes later. Despite the promising start, the Atlas Lionesses regained control in the second half, scoring four more goals to secure a solid victory.

Starlets forward Violet Nanjala stressed that the friendly provided valuable experience for the team, especially as many players will be at home during the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

"Most players are on break, so we can use these matches as a learning opportunity. Starting next month, when most teams are competing in WAFCON, we'll have a chance to prepare better for upcoming qualifiers and tournaments," she said.

Defender Dorcas Shikobe also highlighted the significance of the match for team development. She encouraged new players to see these friendly games as a vital learning curve.

"We've gained a lot from these matches. We're still building a team, and the new players are learning. It's all part of the process, and it will help us perform better in future competitions," Shikobe stated.

For the Kenyan ladies, Morocco, currently ranked 60th in the FIFA Women's World Rankings, proved to be a formidable opponent.

The team's performance also served as good preparation as Kenya gears up for the CECAFA Senior Women's Championship, set for June 12-22 in Tanzania.

Kenya will join hosts Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and Uganda in the regional tournament.

The competition aims to help CECAFA's representatives prepare for the 2025 Africa Women's Cup of Nations, set for Morocco in July.