Harambee Starlets Players Earn Ksh1 Million Each as They Subdue Gambia to Qualify for WAFCON 2026

Harambee Starlets made a return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after qualifying for the 2026 edition following a 4-1 aggregate win over The Gambia.

Beldine Odemba’s team had secured a huge first leg advantage, when they won 3-1 in Nairobi on Friday, and needed a draw in the return match to seal qualification to next year’s tournament in Morocco.

They, however, made sure to qualify in style as they won 1-0 in the second leg in Senegal with Mwanalima ‘Dogo’ Adam’s 50th minute header doing the job for them.

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The forward, one of the long-serving members of the squad, capitalised on a defensive mix-up from the Gambians, who failed to deal with an aerial ball, as she headed home into an empty net after the goalkeeper had come for it and missed.

Kenya were guilty of missing lots of chances again just like in the first leg but it is the Gambia who first tested goalkeeper Lilian Awuor with the shot-stopper forced to make a fingertip save after 13 minutes.

After 24 minutes, Shalyne Opisa nearly broke the deadlock with her outstretched leg connecting with a cross in the box but she watched agonizingly as the ball went out.

Martha Amunyolet then drew a good save from the Gambia goalkeeper from a well-taken freekick in the 33rd minute before both teams went into the break tied 0-0.

After the interval, Kenya continued asking the questions and got their answer five minutes later as a ball floated into the box saw the Gambia goalkeeper miss it after poor communication with his defenders and Adam was there to head it home.

Starlets nearly conceded on the hour mark following a goalmouth melee that saw defenders fluff their lines before Awuor gathered just when the home side was about to pull the trigger.

Kenya should have been 2-0 up after 67 minutes following a swift counter that saw Catherine Khaemba bring in a good ball in the box but it was wasted by Opisa.

Three minutes later, the Gambia goalkeeper spilt the ball from a freekick but Kenya could not capitalise while Awuor was nearly punished after she was dispossessed as she tried to play out from the back moments later.

The win sees Harambee Starlets make a second appearance at WAFCON, where they last played in 2016, 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.