A Historic Return

NAIROBI – Kenya's national women's football team, the Harambee Starlets, have secured their place in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a tense 1-0 victory over The Gambia on Tuesday, 28 October 2025. The match, held at the Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal, sealed a dominant 4-1 aggregate win for Kenya, marking their return to Africa's premier women's tournament for the first time since their debut in 2016.

Veteran forward Mwanahalima "Dogo" Adam was the hero of the night, scoring the decisive goal with a well-placed header in the 50th minute following a defensive mix-up by the Gambian side. The victory ends a nearly decade-long absence from the continental stage, a period marked by administrative turmoil, including a FIFA ban, and several failed qualification campaigns.

The Decisive Second Leg

Heading into the away fixture, Head Coach Beldine Odemba's squad held a comfortable 3-1 lead from the first leg played at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday, 24 October 2025. Despite needing only a draw to qualify, the Starlets played with intent. The match in Senegal, a neutral venue as The Gambia lacks a CAF-approved stadium, was a cagey affair in the first half. Gambia's captain, Foutamata Minteh, came close to unsettling the Kenyans with a powerful long-range shot in the 16th minute that narrowly missed the target.

However, five minutes into the second half, Adam capitalized on a defensive error to secure the win and ignite celebrations among the Kenyan contingent. Coach Odemba praised her team's resilience and focus. “We've waited for this moment for a long time. The girls have shown great character and heart in every game,” she stated after the match.

A Long Road Back

The Starlets' journey back to WAFCON has been arduous. Their only previous appearance was in 2016 in Cameroon, where they exited in the group stage after losses to Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria. The subsequent years were challenging. A FIFA ban, imposed in February 2022 due to government interference in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), locked Kenya out of international football. The ban was lifted in November 2022, allowing the national teams to compete again.

The failed 2024 WAFCON qualification campaign, which ended in a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Botswana, served as a tough lesson. This time, under the guidance of Coach Odemba, the team showed renewed determination. Their path to the 2026 tournament included a crucial first-round victory over Tunisia before facing The Gambia in the final qualifying round.

Implications for Kenyan Football and Government Support

This qualification is a significant boost for women's football in Kenya. It provides a platform for players to showcase their talent and potentially secure professional contracts abroad. The achievement has also captured the attention of the highest office in the country. President William Ruto had been a vocal supporter of the team throughout the qualifiers, promising significant financial rewards.

Following the 3-1 home victory, the team received a substantial bonus. After the decisive win in Senegal, President Ruto announced a Ksh1 million reward for each player and member of the technical team. This level of government support and investment is seen as crucial for the continued growth and professionalization of the sport.

FKF President Hussein Mohamed congratulated the team, thanking the players, technical bench, and the government for their immense support.

Looking Ahead to Morocco 2026

The 2026 WAFCON will be held in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April 2026. The tournament is also a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, with the top semi-finalists securing an automatic spot. For the Harambee Starlets, the focus now shifts to intensive preparation. Coach Odemba has emphasized the need for continued hard work to ensure the team is competitive against the continent's best.

As the nation celebrates this hard-won victory, the hope is that it marks the beginning of a new, successful era for the Harambee Starlets and women's football in Kenya, inspiring a new generation of players and fostering sustained investment in the sport.