Nabwire calls for patience as Harambee Starlets seek redemption at WAFCON

Former Harambee Starlets captain Doreen Nabwire has rallied fans to stay patient and stand firmly behind the national women’s team as they pursue glory at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Speaking to Kenyan journalists at her office in Salé, Morocco, following Kenya's 4-0 defeat to the hosts in their opening Group ‘A’ match on Sunday, Nabwire said despite the setback, Starlets possess the tools to turn their fortunes around in their remaining group fixtures against Senegal and Algeria.

"I strongly believe we have a good chance against Senegal and Algeria, and we can still turn things around. Morocco are a quality side. They have been intentional in their preparations, and they are among the top-ranked teams on the continent.

"Their ambition goes beyond Africa. They are targeting the FIFA Women's World Cup and striving to establish themselves on the global stage.

"Kenya did not qualify for this tournament by chance; the players earned their place through hard work. Although the opening result was disappointing, our focus now should be on the remaining two group matches. If we can collect maximum points, we still have a chance of progressing," she said.

Now serving as a FIFA Women's Football Development expert, Nabwire highlighted the rapid growth of the women's game across Kenya and the continent, urging teams to raise their standards and target global competition.

"We have reached a stage where women's football is growing at a remarkable pace, and we must dare to dream. We should aim to qualify for the World Cup. However, success depends on much more than what happens on the pitch. Winning matches is only one part of the many other factors that contribute to success," she noted.

Nabwire—who made history in 2009 as the first Kenyan woman to play professional football in Europe after joining Germany's SV Werder Bremen—stressed that off-field issues must be resolved so players can focus entirely on delivering results.

"We must ensure that everything outside the pitch is taken care of before expecting players to deliver results. We continue to face challenges with infrastructure, coaching and issues surrounding players' allowances. These are important factors because they directly affect motivation and performance."

Drawing on her experience from over 15 years with the national team, the former PEC Zwolle player remains confident that Kenya can bounce back, fix their tactical errors, and push for a quarter-final spot.

"If we want to compete at the highest level, we must create the right environment for our players. Everything has to be in place to enable them to step onto the pitch, compete effectively and represent the country with confidence."

Addressing the wave of criticism directed at the team on social media following the heavy loss, Nabwire defended the players, reminding fans that setbacks are an inherent part of sports.

"In football, there are three possible results; you win, draw or lose. When we win, everyone celebrates, but when we lose, people should understand that it is part of the game. We must learn from our mistakes, identify what went wrong, work on those areas and come back stronger," she said.

Kenya will take on Senegal at the Olympic Stadium on July 30, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00 PM Kenyan time. On the same day, hosts Morocco face Algeria at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium at 11:00 PM Kenyan time.