- The Gambia vs Harambee Starlets will lock horns in the second leg of their final qualifying round for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
- The match is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, October 28, at the Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal.
- Kick-off is set for 7:00 PM EAT.
The women’s national team, the Harambee Starlets, will be aiming to finish the job on Tuesday evening when they face The Gambia’s women’s side in the second leg of their final qualifying round for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Buoyed by confidence, the Starlets head into this clash following a commanding 3-1 first-leg victory in Nairobi at the Nyayo National Stadium.
ALSO READ: Harambee Starlets one game away from WAFCON 2026 qualification after beating Gambia in Nairobi
Mwanahalima Adam opened the scoring for Kenya from the penalty spot, canceling out Fatoumata Kanteh’s early goal for The Gambia.
Fasila Odhiambo then extended the lead for Bledine Odemba’s squad before the break, and Sharlyne Opisa netted a third to put the national team on the cusp of qualification for next year’s tournament in Morocco.
The Harambee Starlets, therefore, have traveled to Senegal needing only to avoid a heavy defeat by more than two goals.
ALSO READ: Fatoumata Kanteh: The Sevilla attacker aiming to conquer Harambee Starlets
While any draw would see them through, a victory remains the most desirable outcome to solidify their advancement and make a strong statement.
For their part, The Gambia faces a tough challenge this Tuesday.
Hosting their “home” match on neutral ground in Senegal, they must secure a 2-0 win to leverage the away goals rule. This gives them a tangible, if difficult, path to progression, meaning they have everything to fight for.
Here are the full details for The Gambia vs Harambee Starlets WAFCON Qualifier clash.
When and what time will The Gambia vs Harambee Starlets match kick off?
The Harambee Starlets traveled to Senegal on Saturday, where The Gambia will host the return leg on Tuesday, October 27.
The match is scheduled for the Stade Lat Dior in Thies, kicking off at 7:00 PM EAT.
Coaches and captains speak ahead of the Tuesday clash
Following Friday’s defeat, The Gambia’s assistant captain, Ola Buwaro, cited travel exhaustion as a key factor in their loss, expressing hope for a strong response in the second leg.
Today (Friday) was not a bad game; Kenya really played well. I think we were just exhausted, but we will fight back in the second leg and hope to win. Football is all about 90 minutes, and we will try to learn from our mistakes and hope to come back strong,” Buwaro stated.
Meanwhile, Harambee Starlets duo Lorine Ilavonga and Enez Mango are confident they can build on their first-leg success and secure the ticket to WAFCON 2026.
For the Tuesday game, we are really psyched up as a team, and the morale is high in the camp. I believe the team we have will get the win and qualify for WAFCON,” Ilavonga said.
Mango added, “Despite winning the first leg, we haven’t lost our concentration. We still have 90 minutes to play for. We are excited, but we are also really focused, and we will ensure we give 100% on Tuesday to qualify.”
The Gambia W vs Harambee Starlets: H2H and current form
This marks only the second official meeting between these two nations, with both eager to establish dominance and book their place in the continental showpiece.
Kenya W Current Form
- WAFCON Qualifiers vs Tunisia: D, W
- WAFCON Qualifiers vs Gambia: W (3-1, first leg)
- Recent matches (CECAFA Women’s Championship): W, W, W, L (lost 1-0 to Tanzania in the final)
The Gambia W Current Form
- WAFCON Qualifiers vs. Niger: W, W
- WAFCON Qualifiers vs. Kenya: L (3-1, first leg)
- Recent matches (Women’s International Friendlies): W, L, L
What’s at stake for Gambia vs Harambee Starlets on Tuesday?
The Harambee Starlets are chasing their second-ever appearance at WAFCON, having last debuted in 2016 where they were eliminated in the group stage.
A win or a draw will secure their passage for the second time.
For the Queens Scorpions, this represents a historic opportunity to secure their maiden WAFCON qualification, and the dream is still within reach.
Harambee Starlets, there is also a significant financial incentive.
The team received 10 million Kenyan shillings for their first-leg victory. President William Ruto has promised each squad member 1 million Kenyan shillings if they win and qualify.
Should they draw and progress, each player is set to receive 500,000 shillings, providing a powerful motivator for the team to give their all in this decisive encounter.