Eugine Wabwile 
BY FLORENCE SIMIYU.
Harambee Starlets have secured their place in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gambia in the return leg of the final qualification round at the Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal. The win sealed a 4-1 aggregate triumph, marking Kenya’s return to the continental stage for the first time since 2016.
Kenya’s decisive moment came in the 56th minute when Mwanalima Adam found the back of the net with a composed finish, ensuring the Starlets booked their ticket to next year’s tournament in Morocco. The result capped off a dominant qualification campaign in which Kenya outplayed their opponents both at home and away.
Head coach Beldine Odemba expressed pride in her players’ resilience and determination, praising their discipline and focus throughout the qualifiers. “We must ensure we prepare adequately. We don’t want to go as participants, we want to go to Morocco and compete with the best,” she said after the match.
Odemba reflected on the team’s long journey back to the continental stage, noting that the qualification was a result of years of persistence and rebuilding. “We’ve waited for this moment for a long time. The girls have shown great character and heart in every game. It hasn’t been easy, but we stayed focused and believed in our goal to bring Kenya back to the WAFCON stage,” she added.
The coach, who has been instrumental in nurturing new talent and fostering teamwork within the squad, highlighted the importance of continued preparation ahead of the 2026 tournament. “Every training session, every friendly, every camp has built us up to this. The players deserve all the credit for their discipline and effort. We are proud of what we’ve achieved, and now we look ahead to Morocco,” said Odemba.
Kenya’s qualification marks a significant milestone for women’s football in the country, reigniting hope and passion among fans who have longed to see the national team compete among Africa’s elite once again.
Apart from Kenya, other nations that have booked their places at next year’s WAFCON include hosts Morocco, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Nigeria the defending champions ,Malawi, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.
With renewed energy and confidence, Harambee Starlets will now shift focus to preparation, aiming not just to participate but to make a strong statement on the continental stage when they step onto the Moroccan turf in 2026.
