Harambee Starlets forward Mwanalima Adam scored the only goal during the return leg as Kenya sealed a double over the Queen Scorpions and a ticket to the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco. Starlets went into the game enjoying a 3-1 advantage secured from the Nairobi leg but it was Gambia, who started the game with a lot of urgency in a bid to cut the cushion.
With only five minutes played, Starlets goalkeeper Lilian Awuor was forced into a double save, first diving the right way to punch out a superb effort from striker Fatoumata Kanteh, before she positioned herself quickly to make another good save from the rebound.
Gambia continued to threaten and in the 12th minute, Kanteh made another superb run from the left side before releasing the advancing Wuday Colley, but the latter’s final finish was not good enough to trouble Awuor.
Kenya started to grow in confidence and briefly took control of proceedings but Faith Odhiambo, who scored the second goal in Nairobi, missed an open sitter in the 28th minute. A through ball from Shalyne Opisa found Odhiambo in a good position to score, but she fumbled with the ball.
While Starlets decided to sit back and defend their advantage, Gambia’s finishing was a let-down. In the 34th minute, a corner delivered by Kaddy Jallow slipped through the hands of Awuor, but the unmarked Sarah Jarjue took time to pull a trigger allowing Kenya to clear the danger.
In the 50th minute, Kenya took the lead after Gambia custodian Mary Gomez committed a huge mistake. A goal-kick from Kenya found Gomez out of her line, and she tried to punch it out, but Adam sneaked a header into the back of the net. With the goal, Gambia needed four goals to come back into the game.
Kenya last participated in 2016 WAFCON in Cameroon, which was their first ever, where they concluded group matches without a win. Starlets were pooled in Group B alongside Nigeria, who eventually won the title, Mali, and Ghana.
Malawi and Tanzania qualify for Morocco
Meanwhile, Malawi sealed their first-ever qualification to mark a milestone moment for women’s football in the country. Following a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Angola in Luanda, Malawi confirmed their ticket thanks to a 2-0 victory in Lilongwe, completing a memorable 2-0 aggregate result.
With eight minutes left until the final whistle, Faith Chinzimu popped up with a brace, the first in the 82nd minute after she unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box. Just two minutes later, Chinzimu struck again — this time with a sharp first-time finish from a Wezzie Mvula cross.
Elsewhere, Tanzania qualified after defeating Ethiopia 1-0 in the return leg played away for a 3-0 aggregate outcome. Twiga Stars had secured a 2-0 advantage from the first leg played a fortnight ago in Tanzania.
In Addis Ababa, Tanzania under coach Bakari Shime found the breakthrough on the hour mark through Diana Lucas, who had just come on moments earlier.
Zambia became the first team to qualify after securing a 7-2 aggregate win against Namibia. Having won the first leg 4-3 away, the Copper Queens returned home to win the return leg 3-0.
The Morocco edition will see top four teams qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while two additional teams will have the chance to join them through the inter-confederation playoffs.
