Harambee Starlets Put One Foot in WAFCON 2026 After Big First Leg Advantage Over Gambia

Harambee Starlets took a giant stride towards qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a 3-1 win over The Gambia in Nairobi on Friday.

Starlets knew a good first leg in the final qualification round would see them put one foot in next year’s tournament after a 10-year wait but got off to the worst possible start.

After just three minutes, Starlets made a mistake at the back which was punished ruthlessly. Lavender Akinyi’s back pass to Lorine Ilavonga saw the defender fail to clear the ball and she was easily dispossessed by Spain-based forward Fatoumata Kante who slotted low past Kenya’s goalkeeper Lilian Awuor.

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However, The Gambia’s lead lasted seven minutes as Kenya restored parity in the 10th minute via the penalty spot.

Shalyne Opisa was brought down as she made her way in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Mwanahalima Adam, popularly known as Dogo, stepped up and took a beautiful penalty, hammering the ball in the top left corner with the Gambia goalkeeper rooted to her spot.

Three minutes later, Opisa should have grabbed the second for Beldine Odemba’s charges as she got into the box but fired just wide but Kenya’s enterprising display would pay off six minutes later.

Fasila Adhiambo hammered in the second for Kenya after great individual work. The 19-year-old showed great strength to beat two markers before firing unstoppable shot past the goalkeeper.

Ten minutes later, Elizabeth Wambui whipped in a dangerous cross which was parried away by the Gambia goalkeeper for a corner as Kenya went for the third goal.

Starlets thought they had scored the third after 31 minutes when Adam passed to Opisa in the box, the latter slotting home, but the former had been in an offside position when she received the ball.

Adam then got another opportunity after being put through on goal but wasted the chance and it was not until extra time in the first half that the home side extended their lead.

Martha Amunyolet spotted Opisa in between the two central defenders and found her with a beautiful pass and the forward made no mistakes from close range.

In the second half, Kenya reduced the tempo and allowed Gambia a foothold into the game with the visitors threatening Awuor’s goal a number of times although they were not clinical.

Kenya’s best chance of the second half fell to Adam who saw her flicked ball go over the bar as the home side held onto their lead.

The win is a big morale-booster for Kenya ahead of the second leg in Senegal next week and they need to avoid defeat to seal their return to WAFCON, a tournament they last played in 2016, which was their first and only appearance.