Kenya's Harambee Starlets booked a date with Gambia after beating hosts Tunisia 1-0 in the second leg of the 15th edition of the Total Energies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
Kenya had played to a goalless draw (0-0) against Tunisia last week in the first leg at Ulinzi Complex.
In the return leg , Starlets’ Tereza Engesha scored the lone goal six minutes into the game at the Stade Olympique de Sousse in Tunis on Wednesday evening.
It was also Starlet’s goalkeeper Lilian Awuor on form, saving two penalties in the 46th and 76th minutes respectively that helped seal the victory for Kenya.
Captain Dorcas Shikobe, Janet Mumo and Ruth Ingosi standing firm in defence repelling the Tunisian attacks, forcing them to shoot from a distance, making Awuor have a field day saving every shot from the hosts.
Harambee Starlets Coach Beldine Odemba/CHARLENE MALWAIn the second half, substitution was made where Engesha and Shikangwa were replaced by Violet Nanjala and Sheryl Angachi.
The victory in Tunisia will see them progress to face Gambia, keeping their hopes alive for a place in next year’s final tournament in Morocco.
Gambia on the other hand secured their place in the next round after defeating Niger 2-0 and 2-1 for an aggregate 4-1 in their respective leagues.
The second round is scheduled for October 20 and 28, this year.
CAF will announce the dates for the final phase of the competition in due course.
Since their maiden WAFCON appearance in 2016, Kenya has come agonisingly close to qualifying again but has fallen short in crucial moments.
The tournament will feature 12 teams split into three groups of four.
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals, from where the competition adopts a knockout format leading up to the final.
Kenya has endured heartbreak in past qualification campaigns. In 2018, they edged Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Nairobi but lost 2-0 away.
Although Equatorial Guinea initially qualified, Kenya was later awarded the spot after their opponents were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player.
However, the ruling was overturned on appeal, denying Starlets a second WAFCON appearance. In 2022, Kenya had a clear path to qualification but was suspended by FIFA, allowing Uganda to qualify via a walkover.
In 2023, they once again missed out after falling 1-0 to Botswana in the second leg, following a 1-1 draw in Nairobi.
