Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have advanced to the next round of the 2028 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers after registering a commanding 22–0 aggregate victory over Seychelles in their two-legged preliminary-round encounter, underlining their attacking strength and growing ambitions on the continental stage.
The emphatic qualification was sealed at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, where the Kenyan women’s national team continued their impressive scoring run to complete a dominant performance across the two matches.
Notably, the result represents a significant step in Kenya’s pursuit of a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where women’s football will once again feature among the major sporting competitions.
The Starlets entered the return fixture with a substantial advantage from the first leg and maintained their superiority to ensure there was little doubt about which side would progress. Their 22-goal aggregate margin demonstrated the difference between the two teams over the tie, with Kenya taking full advantage of their opportunities in front of goal.
For the Kenyan side, the achievement provides renewed momentum as the qualification campaign moves into a more demanding phase. While the scoreline reflects their dominance against Seychelles, the team will need to maintain the same discipline, tactical organisation and clinical finishing as they prepare to face stronger opposition in the subsequent rounds.
Further, the qualification also offers an important opportunity for the coaching staff to assess the squad’s strengths, improve coordination between departments and build confidence ahead of the challenges that lie ahead.
A convincing result therefore can strengthen team morale, although the technical bench will be aware that the margins for error are likely to become smaller as the competition progresses.
The return leg saw Kenya reproduce their first-leg scoreline, winning 11–0 once again on Monday, October 12, 2026. The victory was spearheaded by forward Jentrix Shikangwa, who marked her return to the national team with a hat-trick. The experienced striker’s contribution highlighted the depth of attacking talent available to the Kenyan technical bench.
Sylvia Makungu opened the scoring early in the encounter before Violet Nanjala doubled Kenya’s advantage. Shikangwa then struck twice in quick succession to put the Starlets firmly in control, with Vivian Nasaka adding another goal before the break. Kenya went into halftime leading 5–0, having established complete control over the contest.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with captain Mwanalima Adam finding the net and Shikangwa completing her hat-trick. Adam added another goal, while Fasila Adhiambo and substitute Marion Serenge also contributed to the tally. Serenge scored twice late in the match, completing the 11–0 victory and ensuring Kenya finished the tie with an identical scoreline in both legs.
On the other hand, Starlets interim coach Godfrey ‘Solo’ Oduor also used the two matches to assess different players within his squad. After fielding a largely locally based team in the first leg, he introduced several experienced and foreign-based players for the return fixture. The approach provided opportunities to evaluate the team’s depth while maintaining a competitive edge.
Attention now shifts to the next stage, where Kenya are expected to face either Malawi or Zimbabwe. Malawi entered their return fixture against Zimbabwe with a 2–0 advantage, making them a strong contender to progress. A potential meeting with Malawi would present a considerably tougher examination for the Starlets, particularly given Malawi’s impressive run to the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has structured the African Olympic qualification campaign into five knockout rounds, with only two African nations earning places in the women’s football tournament at Los Angeles 2028. The third round is scheduled for February 23 to March 6, 2027, according to CAF’s published qualification schedule.
For Harambee Starlets, the 22–0 aggregate victory is an emphatic start to their Olympic ambitions. However, the real test will be whether they can translate their attacking dominance into consistent performances against stronger opposition. With confidence rising and the next challenge approaching, Kenya will be hoping this commanding display marks the beginning of a successful journey towards the Los Angeles Games.
By John Brighton
