The Harambee Starlets suffered a significant 5-1 defeat against Morocco in an international friendly played on Wednesday night in Tangier.

Despite the heavy loss, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed has maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing the match as a crucial step in the team’s development.

Under the guidance of coach Beldine Odemba, the Starlets conceded an early goal just two minutes into the match.

However, Fasila Adhiambo managed to bring Kenya level in the 20th minute. The second half proved challenging for the Kenyan side, which struggled to match the formidable hosts’ intensity, ultimately conceding four more goals.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, FKF boss Hussein Mohammed described the encounter as a vital learning experience for the squad.

“That was a solid test match against one of the best teams globally; you faced a formidable team, which is a great learning curve,” he wrote.

He underscored the importance of facing elite opposition as part of the Starlets’ ongoing growth and development.

“Keep your spirits high, take the lessons, and with more such friendlies coming up, our game will steadily improve until we are able to compete with the world’s best,” Mohammed added.

The disparity in rankings highlighted the challenge faced by the Starlets; Morocco is currently placed 60th in the world and third in Africa, while Kenya stands at 142nd globally and 24th on the continent.

This friendly served as a vital part of Kenya’s preparations for the upcoming CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship, scheduled from June 12 to 22 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Harambee Starlets are set to compete against hosts Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and Uganda in the five-nation regional tournament.

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