Millions Harambee Starlets Will Bag After Sealing 2026 WAFCON Qualification

President William Ruto has announced a Ksh1 million reward for each Harambee Starlets player and member of the technical team following their qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Tuesday, October 28.

In his congratulatory message, Ruto celebrated the team’s 1–0 win against Gambia, which secured a 4–1 aggregate victory and a ticket to the continental tournament in Morocco.

He hailed the result as proof of the players’ discipline, skill, and unbreakable spirit, as well as the strong leadership of the coaching staff. “You have made Kenya immensely proud and reaffirmed Kenya’s rise in women’s sports,” he stated.

Harambee Starlets players before their match against The Gambia at Nyayo National Stadium on October 24, 2025. /WILLIAM RUTO

Ruto added that the whole nation stands behind the Starlets as they prepare for WAFCON, signing off with his signature phrase, “Kama kawaida, nitacheza kama mimi. Hongera Starlets!”

The Starlets booked their spot at the prestigious continental tournament after securing a 4–1 aggregate victory over The Gambia, marking their return to the continental stage for the first time since 2016.

Head coach Beldine Odemba’s side went into the second leg with a strong advantage, having won 3–1 in Nairobi last Friday, and only needed a draw to qualify. However, they sealed their return in grit, claiming a 1–0 win in Senegal courtesy of Mwanalima “Dogo” Adam’s decisive 50th-minute header.

Adam, one of the team’s most experienced players, pounced on a defensive mix-up after the Gambian goalkeeper misjudged an aerial ball, heading into an empty net to put Kenya ahead.

Despite wasting several scoring chances—just like in the first leg—Kenya controlled much of the game. Gambia had the first real opportunity after 13 minutes, forcing goalkeeper Lilian Awuor into a fingertip save.

Shalyne Opisa came close in the 24th minute but couldn’t convert, while Martha Amunyolet tested the Gambian keeper with a well-taken free kick in the 33rd minute.

The Starlets broke the deadlock five minutes after halftime through Adam’s header and survived a few nervy moments, including a goalmouth scramble on the hour mark that Awuor managed to smother.

Catherine Khaemba later created a golden chance for Opisa in the 67th minute, which went begging, before Kenya almost doubled the lead from a spilled free kick three minutes later.

The 1–0 victory capped off a dominant two-legged performance and confirmed Kenya’s return to WAFCON, their second-ever appearance at the tournament after their debut in 2016.

The Ksh1 million reward will complement the Ksh10 million reward from President Ruto's government in the previous week; Ksh5 million of which came from the Head of State for the first leg win against Gambia.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi revealed before kickoff that President Ruto had already awarded the Harambee Starlets Ksh5 million and promised to double the amount to Ksh10 million if they secured a win.

Ahead of the return leg, President Ruto raised the stakes even higher, pledging Ksh1 million for each player and technical team member if they triumphed and booked a spot at the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco.

He also assured that a draw would not go unrewarded, with each player set to receive Ksh500,000 if the match ended level, a result that would have still guaranteed qualification for Beldine Odemba’s side.

The 2026 WAFCON is scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026.

Part of the action as Starlets took on Tunisia at the Ulinzi Sports Complex. /HARAMBEE STARLETS