Ex-Starlets coach Kanyi backs team’s WAFCON preps, predicts good show

Kanyi, who led the Starlets between August 2017 and March 2018 and guided Thika Queens to the 2016/2017 Kenyan Women’s Premier League title, praised the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the government for investing in international preparations ahead of the tournament.

The Starlets are scheduled to travel to Abidjan on Saturday, February 28, 2026, for two international friendlies. They will face Benin on March 2 and hosts Ivory Coast on March 4, with both matches set to be played at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé.

After the Ivory Coast tour, the team will head to Miramas, France, for a residential training camp running until March 15. They will then travel to Morocco, which will host the tournament from March 17 to April 3.

“It’s a great initiative by the federation because this is the only way to prepare our girls well for the tournament,” Kanyi said. “The friendly matches and the Miramas camp will give coach Odemba a chance to assess his squad and identify both strengths and weaknesses.”

According to the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings, Ivory Coast are ranked 72nd, Benin 139th, and Kenya 133rd — underscoring the competitive nature of the upcoming fixtures.

Kenya will open their Group A campaign against hosts Morocco on March 17. The Starlets will then face Senegal on March 20 before concluding the group stage against Algeria on March 23.

Kanyi acknowledged the challenge ahead but remains optimistic.