Awuor Confident Harambee Starlets Will Outshine Gambia in WAFCON Qualifiers.
Tereza Engesha scored in the early stages of the game to secure a historic aggregate victory as the first leg in Nairobi ended in a goalless draw.
. The morale in the team is boosted to great heights after an astonishing performance in the previous round, when they defeated Tunisia 1–0 away in Sousse on February 26, 2025. Photo/courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
Harambee Starlets goalkeeper Awuor has claimed confidence that Kenya will trounce Gambia in the first leg of the 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers. The match is to be held this Friday at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Awuor, a player in the Turkish Women’s Premier League with Farul Constanța, was optimistic that having the games at home will be a deciding factor for the Starlets. She believes that a good outing at home will set the tone for qualifying and inspire the team to do it again.
“Playing at home gives us a huge advantage,” Awuor said. “If we manage to get an aggregate victory, not only will it give us qualification, but it will also expose players to more opportunities—just like in 2016 when the team managed to make it to the continental level in Cameroon.”
The Beldine Odemba-coached squad aims to make history by being the first and only Jamaican player to qualify for the event a record-second time, having first participated in 2016 under former coach David Ouma. The morale in the team is boosted to great heights after an astonishing performance in the previous round, when they defeated Tunisia 1–0 away in Sousse on February 26, 2025. Tereza Engesha scored in the early stages of the game to secure a historic aggregate victory as the first leg in Nairobi ended in a goalless draw.
If Kenya defeats Gambia across the two games, they will qualify for Morocco 2026, which will be the inaugural WAFCON with 16 teams. Besides, the top four sides in the tournament will directly qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be staged in Brazil.
Team head coach Beldine Odemba corroborated Awuor’s confidence, ensuring the team is ready for the crucial tie. “We are ready for the challenge ahead,” she stated. “The players are all charged up, and the camp atmosphere is very uplifting. We have watched Gambia’s recent matches and understand their key strengths and weaknesses. The players are fit and determined, and I am confident we will win.”
The Starlets have received intensive residential training for over three weeks to be fully ready ahead of the fixture, which is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m. The second leg will be played on October 28 at Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal.
The fans may purchase their tickets from tikiti.com or USSD 51955#, with the tickets priced at KSh100 for regular and KSh500 for VIP sections. Kenya advanced to this stage after defeating Tunisia 1–0 aggregate, while Gambia secured their ticket with a comprehensive 4–1 aggregate victory over Niger.
With confidence high and the morale boosted, the Starlets are poised to make Kenya proud and edge a step closer to continental greatness.
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