Kenya’s Harambee Starlets are set for a crucial encounter tonight as they face Gambia in the second leg of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers at Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 pm East African Time.

The Gambians will once again play away from home due to the lack of a CAF-approved stadium, but the Starlets head into the tie in a commanding position after their 3–1 win in the first leg at Nyayo National Stadium last Friday.

Goals from Mwanahalima Adam, Fasila Adhiambo, and Shirleen Opisa handed Kenya the upper hand going into tonight’s decisive clash.

Kenya needs only a draw to confirm qualification and return to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2016. Of the current squad, only captain Dorcas Shikobe and left-back Enez Mango featured in that historic campaign under then-coach David Ouma.

Head coach Beldine Odemba remains cautious despite the two-goal cushion, urging her charges to stay sharp and disciplined until the final whistle.

“The job is not done yet. We need to ensure we remain focused for the next 90 minutes. The urge and hunger are there. It has been 10 years since we played at the WAFCON, and we want to break that duck. We have a two-goal cushion, though we should have had more, and we need to protect it at all costs. We want to celebrate after the final whistle in Senegal, and the girls are very focused for that. There are only a few who have tasted WAFCON action in this team, and they did so as young girls back in 2016. Now, we want to ensure that all of us get a feel of it.”

The Starlets also have added motivation following President William Ruto’s pledge of Ksh 1 million to each player if they win and qualify, or Ksh 500,000 if they draw and still progress.

With just 90 minutes standing between them and a long-awaited return to Africa’s top women’s football stage, the Harambee Starlets will be aiming to finish the job and make history once again.