The Starlets will begin their campaign at home in Nairobi, with the first leg set for Friday, October 24th at Nyayo National Stadium, before they travel to face Gambia in Senegal for the return leg on Tuesday, October 28th, at Stade Lat Dior in Thiès.
With their last WAFCON appearance dating back to 2016, Harambee Starlets are eager to make their long-awaited return, but they face a stiff challenge against Gambia.
‘It is an important match for the girls’
Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has called on Kenyans to turn out in large numbers and cheer the Starlets as they seek to make a comeback to the biggest stage. Odemba believes Kenya have what it takes to beat Gambia and clinch the ticket to the WAFCON.
“I know we last qualified in 2016, but it is now another opportunity for us to try, and make it happen again,” Odemba told Flashscore. “It is a good chance for us to return to the biggest stage in Africa, and so we have to take it with both hands, and make sure we use it to the maximum.”
Odemba added: “It is a big game, and we always urge Kenyans to come and cheer on the girls. It is the critical stage of the WAFCON qualifiers, and we win this one, we play in the WAFCON 2026, so as usual, we urge Kenyans to come and cheer us because they are always a big factor.”
Discussing the mood in camp heading into the first leg, Odemba said: “The camp is in a very good spirit, the players understand that it is an opportunity for the nation to go, and compete in the biggest stage, they are looking forward to it, and, so far so good, the camp is in a very good mood.”
Odemba further reiterated why the game against the Queen Scorpions of Gambia was very important for the Kenyan girls in regard to their future careers.
“It is an important match for the girls, for their careers and it is an important match for the nation," said Odemba. “We win these two matches home and away, we go to WAFCON. Of course, there must be pressure from people outside the camp, but the girls are not feeling any pressure, we see a lot of high spirit, and we see players, who are looking forward to the fixture.”
On whether she had analysed Gambia heading into the two-legged affair, Odemba replied: “Of course, we did a thorough analysis of Gambia, we watched two of their last matches together, we have seen how they play, and we have seen where they are weak, and where they are strong.
“We have worked on capitalising on their weaknesses and making sure we really work on everything that we need to do. We have watched them especially how they played against Niger, we have seen how they can score, and how they approach matches.”
Kenya players know what is at stake
Speaking on behalf of the players, goalkeeper Lilian Awuor explained why qualifying for the WAFCON for the second time will be a good deal for Kenyan players.
“We all know if we beat Gambia and qualify, it will open a lot of opportunities for us players, it will give us opportunities to go and play out there, and make it in life, it is a good opportunity, playing at WAFCON gives someone a name, it will put us in the world map and we will be known,” explained Awuor.
“We have quality players in camp, everyone is ready, everyone is fighting and itching to play, we have good players in each and every position, we have bonded well, and all we want is to make Kenyans happy by qualifying for the WAFCON.”
A win over the two legs will send the Starlets to Morocco 2026, the first edition to feature 16 teams, with the top four earning automatic qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
