Kenya’s Harambee Starlets face a monumental task at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Monday night as they take on Algeria in their final Group A fixture at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Currently rooted to the bottom of the group without a single point, Beldine Odemba’s side finds itself in a precarious position following back-to-back defeats, a heavy 4-0 loss to hosts Morocco in their opener and a narrow 1-0 setback against Senegal.

Despite these setbacks, the Starlets remain mathematically alive in the race for a quarter-final berth, albeit needing a near-perfect sequence of results to advance.

Making only their second appearance at Africa’s premier women’s football tournament after their debut in 2016, Kenya’s immediate objective is ending a ten-year wait for a maiden WAFCON victory.

To keep their faint knockout dreams alive, the Starlets must produce one of the most remarkable performances in their history by defeating Algeria by at least four goals while hoping Morocco beats Senegal in the simultaneous Group A encounter.

Even with such a victory, qualification could ultimately hinge on goal difference or the ranking of the best third-placed teams across the tournament.

Standing in their way is a confident Algerian side enjoying a strong continental campaign.

The Fennecs occupy second place in Group A with four points after opening with a goalless draw against Morocco before securing a convincing 2-0 win over Senegal.

Algeria’s qualification route is far more straightforward: a victory guarantees automatic passage to the quarter-finals, while a draw would likely be enough to secure their progression depending on the outcome of the parallel match in Rabat.

History also favors the North Africans.

This encounter marks the fifth meeting between the two nations, with Algeria maintaining an unbeaten record in their previous four clashes. Following three draws, Algeria claimed victory over Kenya during a two-legged international friendly series earlier this year, reinforcing their psychological edge heading into the contest.

With kick-off set for 11pm EAT, an open and fiercely contested match is anticipated. Kenya will be motivated by the desire to secure a historic first continental win, while Algeria aims to solidify its status as a knockout contender and extend its stay in Morocco.