WAFCON (Q): Kenya prove too good for Gambia in first leg contest

Kenya women’s national team Harambee Starlets will take a 3-1 advantage heading into their return leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier following their comeback win at Nyayo Stadium on Friday.

With the outcome, a draw of any kind during the return leg, will secure Harambee Starlets a second appearance at the WAFCON in Morocco 2026. Kenya will play Gambia in Senegal on Tuesday, October 28th, at Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, to decide who goes through.

Kenya went down with only three minutes left when a mistake by goalkeeper Lilian Awuor allowed Gambia’s Fatou Kanteh to score. The goal awoke Kenya, who started to raid Gambia and in the 12th minute they missed an opener sitter after Odhiambo’s glanced header went inches wide. However, five minutes later, Kenya levelled the scores from the penalty spot.

Elizabeth Wambui of Simba SC Queens of Tanzania raced to meet a through ball from the middle of play but she was fouled while preparing to shoot. Mwanalima Adam stepped up to take the resultant penalty kick, and sent the Gambia keeper the wrong way.

Two minutes later, Starlets, who were spurred on by a huge crowd that had turned out for the first leg clash, doubled their lead. Striker Fazila Adhiambo dribbled past two Gambia defenders before hitting it low into the bottom right corner.

Kenya survived a scare afterwards after Gambia’s Kanteh spotted goalkeeper Awuor out of her line and lofted the ball, but her effort went inches wide. In the 32nd minute, Kenya put the ball into the net courtesy of Shirleen Opisa, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

At the stroke of half-time, it was 3-1 for Kenya after Opisa latched onto a sliced pass, beating Gomes with a low-footed effort.