Harambee Starlets made a huge step towards qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a 3-1 home win over The Gambia at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The result means Kenya are just ninety minutes away from booking a ticket to only a second-ever appearance in a WAFCON tournament ahead of the second leg encounter slated for October 28th at the Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal.
Starlets made several changes from the squad that won against Tunisia, with Kenya Under-20 trio of Lorine Ilavonga, Sharlyne Opisa and Elizabeth Muteshi all starting.
Ilavonga had a debut to forget as she was dispossessed by the lethal Fatoumata Kanteh who scored to give Gambia the lead away. The goal was the fourth consecutive match Kanteh has scored in.
In the 10th minute, another debutant, Opisa, was fouled in the area by Bintou Ceesay. Mwanahalima Adam converted the penalty to restore parity and make it 1-1.
Opisa missed a glorious chance to give Starlets the lead three minutes later with only the keeper to beat as her shot went wide.
Fasila Adhiambo scored a wonderful solo goal in the 20th minute to make it 2-1 for Kenya.
A goal by Opisa was ruled out for offside in the 30th minute and in the 38th minute, Mwanahalima had the chance to double Kenya’s lead but her shot was saved, with the resultant rebound shot from Fasila going just wide.
The first substitution of the day came in the 41st minute when Gambia goalkeeper Aminata Gaye was replaced by Mary Gomez.
Opisa scored her first goal for the Harambee Starlets on debut after Martha Amunyolet teed her up, making it 3-1 at halftime.
The second half was largely uneventful, with the only yellow card of the day going to second-half substitute Tumaini Waliaula in the 85th minute.
Harambee Starlets eyeing qualification
Speaking after the game, Starlets forward Adam was delighted having scored the equalizer. In the post-match conference, she assured that Kenya is on course for a second WAFCON qualification in their history.
“It’s a privilege to be here and to score. I didn’t make it to the WAFCON in 2016 because of KCSE, but now I have a chance to be there. On Tuesday, we will be talking about qualified, qualified, qualified.”
On his part, Gambia coach Omar Cham believes the country should have gotten at least a point away.
“We know how Kenya plays, we have learnt how they play. It’s a 50/50 chance for us. Kenya have just won the first leg and we scored in their backyard, they should try to score in our backyard.
Second half was a one-way traffic, chance after chance. We have picked the positives and are going to work on them. They should expect a different game in the second leg.”
Starlets only need to avoid defeat in Tuesday’s return leg in Senegal to qualify for WAFCON for the second time in history following their debut in 2016.