Lilian Awuor the hero as Harambee Starlets shock Tunisia in 2026 WAFCON qualifier

An opportunistic goal from Tereza Engesha was enough to see Kenya pull off quite a shock, beating much-fancied Tunisia at the Stade Olympique de Sousse in Sousse.

The result put Harambee Starlets in the next round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier where they will face the winner between Niger and Gambia.

The hosts showed their intent from the outset, with Norhene Bettoumi making an early interception that set the tone for what was to come.

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However, Kenya was alert with Ruth Ingosi making a crucial clearance to deny Tunisia an early breakthrough.

Starlets wasted no time thereafter taking the game to their opponents and taking the lead in the fifth minute of the match.

Ruth Engesa delivered a powerful shot from inside the area beating goalkeeper Bérénice Barika to put Kenya ahead 1-0.

Tunisia pushed for an equalizer with Myriam Bayahia attempting a shot before the halftime mark but his effort was well off target.

Just three minutes before the break, Kenya conceded a penalty after a foul in the area. Chihine Litai stepped up to take the spot-kick but her effort went straight into the arms of Lilian Owour keeping the visitors in the lead at halftime.

Tunisia came back a rejuvenated side at the start of the second half pushing forward in search of an equalizer.

Four minutes in, Chihine Litai broke through on goal, but she failed to beat Lilian Awuor in a one-on-one situation.

On the hour mark, Kenya executed a swift counterattack with Elizabeth Wambui driving into the box before unleashing a well-struck shot but her effort was parried away by Tunisia’s goalkeeper Jabran Soulaima.

Ten minutes later Tunisia pressed forward again when Myriam Bayahia met a cross from the right with a header but her attempt went wide off the target.

The next decent effort on goal came in the 75th minute when Norhene Bettoumi fired a long-range thunderbolt but it sailed over the Kenya goal.

Kenya, who were away, remained resolute in defense and Lilian Awuor once again came to their rescue saving yet another penalty to keep their lead intact.

In the end, Kenya held on to their first-half advantage to secure the victory.

How they lined up:

Tunisia: Bérénice Barika Bahloul Machado, Chaima Labassi, Chihine Litai, Ella Kabachi, Ghada Ayadi, Guernaiz Sana, Hana Hamdi, Ines Zaghdoudi, Jabran Soulaima (GK), Myriam Bayahia, Norhene Bettoumi.

Kenya: Lilian Awuor (GK), Dorcas Shikobe (C), Ruth Ingosi, Enez Mango, Lavender Akinyi, Janet Mumo, Corazone Aquino, Tereza Engesha, Mwanahalima Adam, Elizabeth Wambui, Jentrix Shikangwa.