Kenya’s Harambee Starlets secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Tunisia at the Stade Olympique de Sousse, booking their place in the next round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
After a goalless first leg in Nairobi, pressure was on head coach Beldine Odemba’s team to deliver. The Starlets responded with a determined performance, with Terry Engesha scoring the decisive goal in the first half.
Despite taking an early lead, Kenya had to withstand Tunisia’s relentless attacks, with the hosts pushing hard for an equalizer. However, goalkeeper Lilian Awuor emerged as the hero of the night, producing two stunning penalty saves—one in each half—to preserve Kenya’s advantage.
Awuor’s brilliance ensured the Starlets walked away with a hard-fought victory, silencing the home crowd and keeping their WAFCON hopes alive.
With this result, Kenya advances to the next round, where they will face Gambia, who defeated Niger 4-2 in their qualifier. The Starlets will now shift focus to preparing for their next challenge, hoping to continue their journey toward continental glory.
This victory highlights the team’s resilience and determination, as they remain one step closer to securing a spot at WAFCON 2026.
