Harambee Starlets players bank Ksh1 million each after ending 10-year WAFCON absence
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Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 28.10.25. | 21:31
The result follows a 3-1 win that Kenya secured in the home tie that was held on Friday, 24 October at the Nyayo National Stadium
The Kenya national senior women's football side, Harambee Starlets, have qualified for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), bringing an end to what will be a 10-year absence from the continental tourney.
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Harambee Starlets sealed qualification after eliminating The Gambia in the final qualification round on a 4-1 aggregate scoreline; following a 1-0 win in the second leg of the tie that was held on, Tuesday, 28 October at the Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal.
The result follows a 3-1 win that Kenya secured in the home tie that was held on Friday, 24 October at the Nyayo National Stadium.
With Kenya required to only prevent a defeat of more than a goal in order to seal qualification, the Beldine Odemba-coached side had one foot in WAFCON prior to the match.
Unlike the first leg, the encounter started on a slow tempo, Kenya showing early signs of caution, opting to keep a low defensive block while The Gambia were also cautious in their attacks, lest they concede an early goal.
The match opened up by the 10th minute, with both teams trying to push harder for a goal, but it was not until the 14th minute that the game's first clear-cut chance came.
The Gambia launched a long ball into the box from a free kick that was met with a goal-bound header, but Lilian Anyango in the Kenyan goal made a finger tip save to push the ball out for a corner.
Kenya had to wait for the 24th minute for their first chance. A nice link-up play on the right side saw Elizabeth Wambui advance to the byline and lay a cross ball to Shaylene Opiyo, whose kick went inches wide.
Starlets were back at it again 10 minutes later when a free kick down the left was taken by Martha Amunyolet, but her effort was saved at the expense of a corner by Mary Gomez in The Gambia goal.
The rest of the half saw the battle concentrated in the middle of the park and out wide, with Enez Mango trying to create chances for Kenya in the overlap.
For The Gambia, frustration was creeping in, which led to Sarah Jarju receiving a yellow card for a late tackle on Ruth Ingosi. The half-time whistle blew thereafter, with the game goalless.
In the second half, it was Kenya who started brightly, making runs to the hosts' box and creating half-chances.
Starlets’ second-half persistence paid off in the 51st minute when Wambui launched a long ball to the box that was missed by Gomez and Wuday Colley in a defensive confusion to allow Mwanalima Adam to head home into an empty net and give Kenya a much-deserved lead.
The Gambia reacted to the goal with an all-out attack set up, pinning Kenya into their own half, but they failed to muster a clear-cut chance, including a Mariama Cham week header in the 71st minute.
In the 74th minute, Kenya were forced to sub off the injured Violet Nanjala, who had come on in the second half with Leah Cherotich taking her place as Starlets continued to protect their lead.
Fasila ‘Kamama’ Adhiambo had a chance to double Kenya’s lead in the 85th minute, but her looping shot went over the bar with Gomez out of goal.
Four minutes later, the hosts also had a chance from a well-taken free kick on the right that Anyango spilt, but was quick to collect the loose ball before damage was done. Starlets successfully managed to protect their win and secure a double over The Gambia.
With the win, coach Beldine Odemba has managed to guide Kenya to a place in the 2026 WAFCON that will be held from 17 March to 3 April 2026 in Morocco.
Apart from qualification, the Kenyan team have become the latest millionaires in town as they are set to receive Ksh1 million each from President William Ruto as part of his financial reward promise to the team.
The Gambia Starting XI: Mary Gomez, Juwana Colley, Kaddy Jatta, Bintou Ceesay, Kaddy Jallow, Fatoumata Kanteh ©, Fatty Katou, Manyima Stevelmans, Wuday Colley, Fatoumata, Jammeh, Sarah Jarju.
Kenya Staring XI: Lilian Anyango, Enez Mango, Vivian Makokha, Tabitha Amoit, Ruth Ingosi ©, Maryja Amunyolet, Fasila Adhiambo, Mwanaliam Adam, Lavender Akinyi, Elizabeth Wambui, Shaylene Opisa.
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