Millions await Starlets after beating The Gambia, qualify for WAFCON 2026

Harambee Starlets have booked their place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup on Nations (WAFCON) after securing a -1 aggregate win against The Gambia. Starlets stunned Gambia 1-0 in the second leg of the qualifying fixture played on Tuesday at Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal, as The Gambia lack a CAF-approved stadium.

The Beldine Odemba charges built on the momentum of their first -leg success in Nairobi last week where they dominated their opponents with a three one dominant victory.

Kenya is among 12 nations have booked their places in Morocco after two qualifying rounds. The biennial women’s tournament is scheduled to run from 17 March to 3 April with the hosts Morocco, runners-up at the last two editions, looking to turn fervent home support into silverware.

The WAFCON will also serve as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the top four teams earning automatic spots and two more advancing through intercontinental playoffs.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have won the WAFCON title in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018, and are defending champions after their dramatic win over hosts Morocco in the last edition.

The first half was not highly contested as both team vying to dominate. The decisive moment came  five minutes into the second half when Mwanalima Adam rose high to meet a floated pass from Elizabeth Wambui from midfield into the Gambian penalty box that caused confusion among defenders.

The win marked a return to the continental showpiece for Starlets since 2016 and having narrowly missed the chance in 2018, 2022 and 2024 editions. In 2016, Kenya qualified on away goals after drawing 3-3 on aggregate with Algeria. In that year Kenya luckily qualified for the second qualifying round after DRC withdrew from the qualifiers in the first round.

The win sees Harambee Starlets make a second appearance at WAFCON, and the players have earned Ksh1 million each from President William Ruto who had made the pledge if they won the second leg and qualified.

The Starlets are now guaranteed a minimum of Ksh16 million, the base prize awarded to teams that finish fourth in their group. This amount is part of CAF’s revised financial structure aimed at boosting investment in women’s football across the continent.

The prize money escalates significantly with each stage of progression. Reaching the quarter-finals would earn the team Ksh25.8 million, while a fourth-place finish overall would bring in Ksh38.7 million. A third-place result would secure Ksh45 million, and the runners-up are set to receive Ksh64.6 million.

The ultimate prize, winning the tournament, would see Kenya claim Ksh129 million, a figure that could transform the landscape of women’s football in the country.

These funds are paid directly to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), which is expected to allocate them toward women’s football development. Use of funds is at the discretion of the federation.