The national women’s football team’s, Harambee Starlets’, disappointing show at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations that ended yesterday in Morocco is a wake up call to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the government.
Harambee Starlets left the championship without scoring a goal after they were completely outclassed, losing to Morocco 4-0, Senegal 1-0 and Algeria 2-0. This was almost a replica of their outing during the 2016 Wafcon in Cameroon where they lost to Ghana (3-1), Mali (3-1) and Nigeria (4-0). These results left Kenyan football lovers disappointed and asking many questions as it pointed out the team’s failed lessons, poor preparations and lack of attention and support from FKF, the government and corporates.
It seems no lessons were learnt from 2016 as Harambee Starlets’ lackluster outing exposed the country’s mediocre standards, lack of development structures and pitiable women’s league.
The shortcomings came way before the event as Harambee Starlets players had to stage demonstrations to have their allowances paid. One cannot expect the players to deliver or have its tactics in order when there were no build-up matches for them with a hurriedly organised camp in Miramas, France.
It is heart-breaking that Harambee Starlets failed to attract the much-needed attention from the Ministry of Sports, FKF and the corporates unlike Harambee Stars that has always received overwhelming support, yet Starlets qualified through a highly competitive process. Harambee Stars received support from many quarters, including President William Ruto, who showered them with millions on the way to the quarter-finals of the 2024 African Nations Championship in August last year.
Junior Starlets have just qualified for their second ever Fifa Women’s Under-17 World Cup from October 17 to November 7 in Morocco, but there is no buzz around their preparations. We must stop the segregation as a country and give Harambee Starlets and Junior Starlets the support that befits their achievements.
Well-organised age-group tournaments with a fully fledged women’s national league with improved prize money will attract quality and competition that will trickle down to the national teams.
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