The Kenya national women’s football team, Harambee Starlets, have qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after edging the Gambia 4-1 on aggregate, ending their 9-year absence at the tournament.

Mwanalima Adam scored the all-important goal in the 56th minute in the second leg of the last phase of the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers at the Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

Kenya edged the West Africans 3-1 in the first leg played on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Fans’ support

Before the encounter, the side’s head coach, Beldine Odemba, had urged local football fans to support the team as they face Gambia in the return leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday evening, October 28, 2025, in Senegal.

Speaking ahead of the decisive fixture, Odemba called upon Kenyans living in Senegal to show up for the Kenyan girls in Banjul, further noting that the team is in high spirits and ready to make a return to WAFCON after a long period.

”I can say that the girls are ready, they are highly spirited, and they are looking forward to the match. We all understand that the assignment is not yet done, but we are looking forward to finishing it. The girls really want to play on a bigger stage, and they are ready to do it,” Beldine Odemba said.

She added that making it to the 2026 WAFCON will be a statement that women’s football in Kenya is growing.

”Qualifying for this WAFCON will show how much improvement we have made as women’s football in the country, and it will open a brighter future for women’s football. We urge our fans, especially those who live here in Senegal, to come and cheer the girls, and fans at home to continue praying with us, sending good vibes to us and believing in us,” Odemba added.

WAFCON goodies

Meanwhile, Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed had promised to stand with the team if they made it to the tournament in Morocco. In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Mohammed has hinted at rewarding the team if they qualify.

”Date with destiny for our girls, the Hsarambee Starlets, today. You’ve made us proud every step of the way, and I have no doubt you have what it takes to finish the journey strongly and book your place at the 2026 WAFCON. Chezeni kama nyinyi — na sisi tutacheza kama sisi!” Hussein Mohammed said. President William Ruto had earlier on promised to splash millions of shillings on the team if they made it to Morocco in 2026.