The national women’s soccer team Harambee Starlets put put themselves in strong position to qualify for the 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations after defeating The Gambia 3-1 in their second round,first leg encounter played at Nyayo National Stadium,Nairobi.
Kenya fell behind early after fullback Lorrine Ilavonga hesitated to clear the ball early with Sevilla’s Fatumata Kanteh capitalizing ion the mistaker to hand Gambia the lead after two minutes.
But Kenya regrouped and pulled level barely 10 minutes later through a penalty struck by Mwanahalima Adam.Fasila Kamama Adhiambo and debutant Shirleen Opisa each scored a goal apiece to round off the emphatic performance by Beldine Odemba led side.
The Gambia,ranked 121 failed to mount comeback as Kenya went on to garner the vital victory ahead of the second leg next week on Tuesday October 28th.
The return leg will be played in Thies,70km east of Senegal’s Capital Dakar.The match was moved to Senegal due to unavailability of CAF approved facility in The Gambia.
An aggregate win for Starlets will qualify them for the 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations scheduled March 13-April 7th in Morocco.It will be the second time for Starlets to grace the continental shiowpiece having done so for the first time in 2016.
Harambee Stars Lineup
Lilian Onyango,Lorine Ilavonga,Enez Mango,Mwanahalima Adam,Shirleen Opisa,Lavender Akinyi,Martha Amunyolet,Elizabeth Muteshi,Elizabeth Mutukiza,.Ruth Mukalukho,Fasila Adhiambo
Subs:
Vivian Nasaka,Dorcas Shikobe,Tumaina Waliaula,Airine Madalina,Corazone Aquino,Annedy Kundu,Medina Abubakar.
The Gambia Line up
Aminata Gaye,Juwanna Colley,Bintu Ceasay,Penda Bah,Issatou Jallo,Fatoumata Kanteh,Fatou Sonko,Manyima Stevelmans,Jarra Jambang,Mariama Cham,Ola Buwaro
Subs
Kaddy Jatta,Kaddy Bayo,Metta Sanneh,Wuday Colley,Fatoumata Jammeh,Mary Gomez,Sarah Janju
