WAFCON 2026: Kenya Fail To Score Again In Loss To Algeria

Kenya bow out of WAFCON 2026 winless after defeat to Algeria

WAFCON 2026: Kenya’s goal drought continues in 2-0 defeat to Algeria. Defensive errors cost Kenya as Algeria seal WAFCON last-8 spot.

Algeria beat Kenya 2-0 to reach WAFCON knockouts as Starlets exit scoreless...

Harambee Starlets ended their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign without a win after falling 2-0 to Algeria in their last Group A match at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Monday.

Kenya went into the Group A finale chasing a first victory at WAFCON 2026. It was also the first ever meeting between the two sides at the tournament.

Kenya’s hopes of progressing were already over after losses to hosts Morocco and Senegal. Algeria, meanwhile, needed a win to seal qualification for the knockout rounds, and a draw could also send them through if Senegal lost to Morocco.

The Starlets were 2-0 down inside 14 minutes as Algeria scored twice in nine minutes.

Algeria opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Marine Dafeur. The forward curled in a brilliant effort from an indirect free-kick that left goalkeeper Lilian Awuor with no chance.

Defensive Lapses Cost Kenya In 2-0 Loss To Algeria

Kenya’s back four of Enez Mango, Ruth Ingosi, Elizabeth Ochaka and Euphrasia Shilwatso struggled from the start, and their errors proved costly. Ochaka was caught in possession in the 23rd minute, allowing Lynda Bendris to pounce and double Algeria’s lead.

Coach Beldine Odemba responded with a double change after going two down. Goalkeeper Lilian Awuor made way for Annedy Kundu, while Mercy Airo was replaced by midfielder Fasila Adhiambo.

Kenya created their first opening in the 31st minute. Terry Engesha found space in the box but her tame shot was easily saved by Algerian goalkeeper Chloé N'Gazi.

Two minutes later the Starlets came close again. Mwanalima Jereko Dogo connected with a close-range chance, but her effort drifted just wide of the post.

The sides went in at half-time with Algeria 2-0 up, after a poor opening 45 minutes from the Harambee Starlets.

Mistakes at the back handed Algeria both goals, while Kenya failed to create clear opportunities and fell short of the tournament standard.

Algeria came into the match on the back of a win over Senegal and a narrow defeat to hosts Morocco. Kenya, meanwhile, had started with a 4-0 loss to Morocco before going down 1-0 to Senegal.

Another Frustrating Night As Kenya Fail To Score

Kenya ended WAFCON 2026 without finding the net in Morocco. The North Africans had beaten three different opponents on their previous appearances in the tournament: Mali in 2004, Botswana in the last edition, and Senegal this year.

Any hopes of a Kenya comeback faded further early in the second half when Ochaka was booked seconds after the restart, picking up a yellow card with her first touch.

Odemba made another change in the 48th minute, bringing on Shaline Nambengele for Engesha.

With a 2-0 lead to protect, Algeria sat deeper and looked to hit Kenya on the counter.

Kenya arrived at the Algeria match having gone 279 minutes at the WAFCON finals without a goal. Their last strike came from Cheris Salano in the 80th minute of a 3-1 loss to Mali in their second group game back in 2016.

The Starlets had a golden chance to pull one back in the 63rd minute. Valerie Nekesa found herself one-on-one but delayed her shot, allowing Algerian defender Roselene Khezami to recover and clear.

Kenya had fired 22 shots against Senegal, with six on target - both the highest totals they have ever recorded in a WAFCON game.

Algeria take an early lead! 💪🇩🇿

#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Uru3ILBsdI

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 3, 2026

With time running out, Odemba turned to her bench again with a double substitution. Euphrasia Shilwatso replaced Vivian Makokha, while Eglay Mukhwana came on for Martha Amunyolet. The changes made no difference though, as Kenya couldn’t find a goal and Algeria saw out a 2-0 win.

It was the first time Kenya went through all three group games at a WAFCON without scoring.

Back at the 2016 tournament in Cameroon, Kenya also finished bottom of Group B under coach David Ouma. They lost all three matches, scoring two goals and conceding ten.