2028 OlympicQ: Shikangwa’s hat-trick inspires Harambee Starlets to 11-0 demolition of Seychelles

Harambee Starlets delivered an absolute masterclass at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, tearing Seychelles apart with an 11-0 victory in the second leg of their 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games first-round qualifier.

Coming off an 11-0 win in the first leg, head coach Godfrey “Solo” Oduor fulfilled his promise to heavily rotate his squad. Fielded with a refreshed, star-studded starting eleven, Kenya showed zero mercy to seal a 22-0 aggregate triumph over the two legs.

Coach Godfrey Oduor completely overhauled his lineup, restoring skipper Mwanalima Adam to the heart of the midfield alongside returnee Vivian Corazone. Up front another returnee Jentrix Shikangwa led the attack alongside Violet Nanjala and senior national team debutant Sylvia Makungu.

It took the debutant just seven minutes to make her mark. A ferocious shot by Violet Nanjala was initially parried by Seychelles goalkeeper Tinisha Come, allowing Sylvia Makungu to tap home the rebound for her debut goal.

Minutes later, provider turned scorer as Violet Nanjala struck with her left foot, nutmegging Tinisha Come to double Kenya’s advantage.

ALSO READ: Harambee Starlets thump minnows Seychelles to start 2028 Olympic dream in style

Talismanic forward Jentrix Shikangwa then took center stage, netting from close range for Kenya’s third before quickly grabbing her brace moments later. At the stroke of halftime, right-back Vivian Nasaka cut inside on her right foot before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner with her left, sending the Starlets into the break with a 5-0 lead.

Kenya emerged from the break just as strongly, and skipper Mwanalima Adam soon got herself on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal.

In the 67th minute, Jentrix Shikangwa completed her hat-trick by finishing off a wonderful cutback from Vivian Nasaka to highlight her brilliant individual performance on her return to the senior team.

The last ten minutes saw a rapid flurry of goals as Mwanalima completed her brace with a dipping knuckle shot past Come. Things went from bad to worse for the island nation when Fasila Adhiambo saw her deflected shot find the back of the net to make it nine for the hosts.

Late substitute Marion Serenge made an instant impact by winning a penalty after being fouled inside the box by Pascallina Moustache.

The 19-year-old stepped up and converted the spot-kick to score her first-ever goal for the national team. Serenge then completed the whipping shortly after, firing home on her right foot at the near post to sentence Seychelles to back-to-back 11-0 defeats.

With a 22-0 aggregate victory secured, Harambee Starlets march confidently into the second round of the CAF African qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Kenya will now await the outcome of Tuesday’s second-leg clash in Harare between Zimbabwe and Malawi (where Malawi leads 2-0) to determine their next opponent.

Harambee Starlets: Lilian Awuor, Vivian Nasaka, Enez Mango, Wincate Kaari, Ruth Ingosi, Vivian Corazone, Fasila Adhiambo, Sylvia Makungu, Mwanalima Adam, Jentrix Shikangwa, Violet Nanjala.

Seychelles: Tinisha Come, Nerlice Fred, Alisha Matatiken, Annalita Cadeau, Sophie Barreau, Keisha Moustache, Lisa Dubois, Pascallina Moustache, Samira Florentine, Sheryl Benoit, Elvina Hoareau.