- Harambee Starlets defeated Tunisia 1-0 in the return leg tie.
- Terry Engesha found the back of the net for the Kenyan side in the first half of the game.
- Harambee Starlets will now play Gambia in the final leg of the 2026 WAFCON qualifying tournament.
Harambee Starlets overcame all the odds to bag a ticket to the final round of the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying tournament on Wednesday evening.
The talented side secured a narrow 1-0 victory in their return leg tie against Tunisia that was played at the Stade Olympique de Sousse.
The two nations had played to a barren draw in the first leg that was held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex less than a week ago.
The all-important goal was scored by the experienced Terry Engesha in the ninth minute of the hotly contested game.
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Harambee Starlets, who had made most of their supporters to lose hope of them representing the country in the upcoming continental showpiece, gave everything on the field in today.
Lilian Awour was the hero for the Beldine Odemba-coached side as she saved two penalties to keep the girls in the game.
Awour, who plays professional football in Europe, saved the first penalty at the stroke of half time to make certain Harambee Starlets went to the break with a slim 1-0 lead.
The 25-year-old came again to the rescue of Kenya in the 77th minute when she produced a brilliant save to ensure the score board read the same.
Although the hosts tried their best to get the equalizer, Harambee Starlets did not lose any concentration and in the end secured the well deserved victory.
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Harambee Starlets will now play Gambia in the final qualifying round that is planned to take place in October. The Gambia made it to the last round after hammering minnows Niger 4-1 on aggregate.
A win for Kenya against Gambia will ensure they return to the WAFCON tournament for the first time since their debut in 2016.
The last time Harambee Starlets played in the prestigious showpiece was in the 2016 edition that was staged in Cameroon.