Kenya’s Harambee Starlets defeated The Gambia 1-0 on Tuesday, securing their place in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
The return leg was played at Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal, as The Gambia lacks a Caf-approved stadium.
The Kenyan girls won 4-1 on aggregate, having won the first leg 3-1 at home last Friday at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Coach Beldine Odemba made changes to her starting 11 from the previous match against The Gambia in Nairobi last Friday, specifically focusing on the defensive line.
Vivian Nasaka was brought into the team, replacing Elizabeth Muteshi, and Tabitha Amoit also joined the lineup, taking Lorine Ilavonga’s spot.
Lilian Awuor continued in her role as goalkeeper, providing stability between the posts. The experienced duo of Captain Ruth Ingosi and Enez Mango remained integral parts of the backline, offering leadership and defensive prowess.
Mwanahalima Jereko, Ann Akinyi, and Martha Emedot worked the midfield. Upfront, the attacking trio consisted of Elizabeth Wambui, Sheylene Opisa, and Fasilah Adhiambo, tasked with the attack.
The first half of the match was not tightly contested, with both teams vying for dominance. The Gambia, however, seemed to pose a greater threat, consistently testing the Kenyan defence and probing for weaknesses.
Despite their persistent efforts, Awuor remained vigilant in goal, thwarting their advances with well-timed saves and solid positioning.
The Gambian side was left to rue a series of missed scoring opportunities, ultimately failing to capitalise on their chances. Many of these opportunities stemmed from set-piece buy Ingosi, who proved to be a formidable presence in the box, consistently heading away dangerous balls and neutralising the Gambian threat.
Ultimately, the first half concluded without any significant goalmouth action for the Starlets, who struggled to mount sustained attacks and convert the limited chances they managed to create.
The Kenyan team needed to find a way to increase their attacking and pose more problems for the Gambian defence in the second half.
Kenya managed to break the deadlock in the 50th. Wambui’s long ball from midfield into the Gambian penalty box caused confusion between the defenders and goalkeeper Gomez. Adam capitalised on the disarray, tapping the loose ball into the unguarded net to give Kenya the lead.
About the Author
