The East African nation stayed on course to secure their second appearance in the WAFCON tournament after defeating Gambia 3-1 in the first leg of the final qualifier at Nyayo National Stadium a fortnight ago.
Despite the Queen Scorpions taking an early lead through striker Fatoumata Kanteh, Starlets responded immediately. Mwanalima Adam equalised from the penalty spot, Faith Adhiambo made it 2-1, before the hard-working Shalyne Opisa sealed the win.
Starlets will now return to action to finish the job they started in Nairobi, when they face Gambia in the return leg at Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal, on Tuesday. A draw of any kind will ensure Kenya returns to the biggest stage of women's football.
Odemba admits qualification job halfway done
Despite the 3-1 advantage, Starlets coach Beldine Odemba believes Kenya must be well prepared to finish the job they started in the first leg.
“The girls are ready,” said Odemba ahead of the clash. “Like I said last time, they are highly spirited and looking ahead to the match.
“We all understand that the assignment is not yet done, and we are looking forward to finishing it on Tuesday. The girls really want to play on the biggest stage and they are ready to do it.”
Odemba added: “The history, like we said, we are racing against time. 10 long years without qualifying for WAFCON final, so how else can you measure the improvement of women football in our country?
“It will be good if we can qualify after nine years, it will show how much improvement we have made as women football in the country, and it will also open up a better future for women football.”
She concluded: “We urge our fans, first of all those, who live here in Senegal, to come and cheer the girls, fans at home please continue praying for us, keep the trust, we are here to do the job for the nation.”
The top four teams in the WAFCON will 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.
Kenya last participated in WAFCON 2016, which was their first ever, in Cameroon, where they concluded group matches without a win. Starlets were pooled in Group B alongside Nigeria, who eventually won the title, Mali, and Ghana.
Kenya started off their campaign with a 3-1 defeat against Ghana, before losing their matchday two fixture 3-1 against Mali. Their final preliminary round fixtures were against the Super Falcons, which they lost 4-0.
