- The Harambee Starlets vs Gambia first leg match will be played at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
- The second leg will be played in Senegal on October 28.
- The aggregate winner of the tie will book a ticket to WAFCON 2026 in Morocco.
Kenya will host The Gambia at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday evening in the final round of the qualifiers for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Harambee Starlets have largely maintained the same squad that played against Tunisia in the preceding round of qualifiers. An area of oncern, however, might be the attacking line with Cynthia Shilwatso, Jentrix Shikangwa, Marjolene Nekesa and Terry Engesha not part of the squad.
Marjolene is nursing a long-term injury to her Anterior Cruciate Ligament which she sustained while on club duty at her Czechia club Slavia Praha. Based on the available options, here is how the Harambee Starlets could line up against Gambia.
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Goalkeeper – Lilian Awuor
Awuor has proved to be a valuable asset to the team since making her debut in 2016 while still at Nyakach Girls. She wasn’t part of the CECAFA tournament in August, but a strong start to the season with Farul Constanta and two penalty saves in the away match against Tunisia makes her the outright choice.
Defense (Vivian Nasaka, Enez Mango, Ruth Ingosi, Dorcas Shikobe)
Turkey-based rightback Vivian Nasaka is likely to regain her position after missing out on the last qualifiers, with her understudy Janet Mumo having done great work.
Enez Mango is expected start at leftback with no real challenge in the current squad.
Dorcas Shikobe is exected to partner Ruth Ingosi at the heart of the defense as they have formed a formidable partnership in central defense over the years.
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Midfield (Lavender Akinyi, Corazone Aquino, Fasila Adhiambo)
Ulinzi Starlets dynamite Akinyi has been a mainstay since making her competitive debut against Tunisia earlier this year.
The absence of club compatriot, the injured Sheryl Angachi, most likely means she will be given the nod in defensive midfield alongside Vivian Corazone, the experienced Simba Queens midfielder and one of the most consistent names on the national team’s starting lineup.
Fasila Adhiambo has been in fine form in recent days for both club and country. She recently captained the Kenya U20 women’s national team to qualification for the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers and also scored a wonderful goal at home against Ethiopia.
The Simba Queens off off-season acquisition is likely to be given the starting berth in attacking midfield.
ALSO READ: Gambia names final squad for WAFCON qualifiers vs Harambee Starlets
Forwards (Elizabeth Wambui, Tumaini Waliaula, Mwanahalima Adams)
Wambui will fill the right wing position which she has made her own in recent days. Tumaini Waliaula is likely to be chosen to lead the line.
The 2023/24 FKF Women’s Premier League top scorer led Kenya’s attack in the CECAFA Women’s Senior Challenge in Tanzania in August and could be given the same role in the absence of Shikangwa, Shilwatso and Engesha.
Completing the starting eleven is Mwanahalima Adam Jereko. Dogo, as she’s famously known, has since rediscovered her form at Danish Club HB Koge.
Earlier this month, she was named the Player of the Match as HB Køge Women recorded a 2-1 win over Glasgow City FC in the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup.
Dogo likes to play off the striker, and the centre forward’s movement could free her, increasing her chances of scoring. She will operate interchangeably with Fasila Adhiambo in that role.
Harambee Starlets vs Gambia Predicted lineup
Lilian Awuor (GK), Vivian Nasaka, Enez Mango, Ruth Ingosi, Dorcas Shikobe, Lavender Akinyi, Corazone Aquino, Fasila Adhiambo, Elizabeth Wambui, Mwanahalima Adam, Tumaini Waliaula.