Harambee Starlets sealed a historic return to the continental stage after defeating Gambia 1–0 on Tuesday evening, completing a 4–1 aggregate victory to book their place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The win marks Kenya’s first qualification for the tournament in ten years, reigniting hopes for a new era in women’s football.
The decisive moment came in the 56th minute when captain Mwanahalima “Dogo” Adam rose highest to head home the opener, giving Kenya the breakthrough in Thies, Senegal ; where the match was hosted due to Gambia’s lack of a CAF-approved stadium. That crucial goal settled the contest, as the Starlets held firm to secure another clean sheet and confirm their spot among Africa’s elite.
Having already claimed a commanding 3–1 win in the first leg at Nyayo Stadium last Friday, the Starlets needed only to avoid defeat to progress. Yet they went beyond that, playing with confidence, composure, and tactical discipline. The team’s balanced display reflected the steady progress seen throughout the qualification campaign ; a blend of local league experience and youthful flair proving decisive against the Gambians.
This qualification ends a decade-long wait for Kenya, whose last appearance at WAFCON came in 2016. That tournament was memorable for introducing the Starlets to continental competition, and this return carries even greater significance, as the 2026 edition will, for the first time, feature 16 teams.
President William Ruto had earlier pledged performance-based incentives to motivate the squad ahead of the qualifiers and is now set to reward each player with Ksh 1 million in recognition of this remarkable milestone.
The 2026 WAFCON in Morocco will not only serve as a platform for continental glory but also as a gateway to the global stage. The top four teams from the tournament will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, giving Kenya a chance to dream even bigger — to emulate the U-17 Junior Starlets, who proudly put the country on the global map at the FIFA World Cup in the Dominican Republic last year.
