The women’s national team, the Harambee Starlets, have officially qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
This achievement marks their long-awaited return to Africa’s premier women’s football tournament, sealed by a triumphant 1-0 victory over Gambia in the final qualifying round’s second leg at the Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal.
The decisive goal came from veteran forward Mwanahalima Adam Jereko in the 50th minute after a defensive mixup from the Gambian side saw the delivery fall on Jereko’s path who calmly headed it home.
The result sealed a commanding 4-1 aggregate victory for Kenya marking the country’s return to the continental showpiece after a nine year wait.
Kenya, then under head coach David Ouma, qualified for its inaugural tournament in Cameroon but exited in the group stage.
The Starlets now join host nation Morocco and other qualified sides, including Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria, and Algeria, for the 2026 tournament scheduled from March 17 to April 3.
By qualifying for the 2026 Wafcon and winning the away match, Harambee Starlets players are guaranteed heavy perks from the President of Kenya William Samoei Ruto.
The head of state will award each player with Ksh 1 Million for securing the away win against Gambia in Senegal.
This adds to the Ksh 10M reward given after the 3-1 first leg victory over Gambia in Nairobi.
