Kenya’s Harambee Starlets battled from a goal down to sink Gambia 3-1 in the first leg second round qualifier of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 qualifier.

Fatoumata Kante gave Gambia the lead after 3 minutes at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Friday.

The Spanish based forward capitalized on a poor back pass by Lavender Akinyi, and she slotted the ball past Kenya’s goalkeeper Lilian Awuor.

But the home side did not give up and pushed forward before they were awarded a penalty seven minutes later. Mwanalima Adam stepped forward and converted the penalty into the right top left roof.

Kenya’s Fasila Adhiambo would later make a run beating two defenders and fire the hosts ahead 2-1. Shalyn then added the third for Kenya after be played through by Martha Emedot to make it 3-1 for Kenya before the break.

In the second half the two teams created some decent scoring opportunities, but failed to score. The return leg will be played on October 28, in Thiès, Senegal.

After winning the first leg matches Kenya and Tanzania have now moved close to qualifying for the WAFCON 2026.

Hosts Tanzania have defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in the first leg of the second round in the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 qualifiers.

Aisha Mnunka gave Twiga Stars the lead after only 7 minutes at the Azam Complex Stadium on Wednesday.

The attack of Aregash Kalsa and Senaf Wakuma tried to push forward to level matters, but failed to beat the Twig Stars defending line.

After recess Jamila Rajab made it 2-0 for Tanzania after 54 minutes. The visiting Ethiopian side tried to push forward to find goals, but still failed to break the Tanzanian side.

It’s now advantage for Tanzania ahead of the return leg to be played on October 28^th in Ethiopia.

CECAFA’s other qualifiers in the second round will host Gambia in the first leg on October 24^th in Nairobi.

The winners of round two over two legs will automatically qualify for WAFCON 2026 to be held in Morocco.

Tanzania’s Twiga Stars have suffered a 4-1 defeat to Ghana and exited the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 in Morocco.

Going into the Group C match at the Stade Municipal de Berkane on Monday night, the two teams had a point each and Tanzania needed a clear win to qualify for the knock out stage.

The two teams kicked off with hunger, but Ghana took the lead after 12 minutes when goalkeeper Najati Abass’ clearance came off Princella Adubea and into the net.

After 21 minutes skipper Opa Clemet Tukumbuke had a shot a goal for Tanzania, but her shot missed the target.

Later a free kick by Anastazia Katunzi and a shot by Stumai Abdallah was deflected by the Ghanaian defender to make it 1-1 after 40 minutes.

After recess, Ghana’s Black Queens rose to the occasion to score three more goals. Alice Kusi converted a penalty for Ghana after 63 minutes after Katunzi had fouled in the box.

Substitute Evelyn Badu made it 3-1 after finishing off from a rebound, while Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah put the icing on the cake to give Ghana a 4-1 win and set-up a clash against Algeria in the round of eight.

Tanzania started her campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Mali, and later held reigning champions South Africa 1-1 in their second match.

Bakari Shime, the Tanzania head coach said that his team collapsed in the second half. “We tried to fight back after conceding an early goal, but failed to close spaces in the second half,” added Shime.

Tanzania were the only team from the CECAFA Zone that qualified for the WAFCON 2024.

Twiga Stars have made a false start in their opening Group C match at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024.

Tanzania suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mali in a match played at the Stade Municipal De Berkane on Monday night.

After the two sides had near misses at goal, it was the Female Eagles who pounced on Tanzania’s poor clearance giving chance for Saratou Traore to score from close range in the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

The Twiga Stars returned determined and hungry to get goals as they dominated play in the second half, but the absence of skipper Opa Clement Tukumbuke (serving suspension) and Clara Luvanga (injured) was evident.

Jamila Mnunduka came close for Tanzania but her headed effort missed the target. Twiga Stars coach Bakari Shime brought in the fresh legs of 18-year old Winfrida Gerald, but to no avail as the Malian team defended in numbers.

In an earlier Group C match the defending champions South Africa defeated Ghana 2-0. Tanzania will return to action against South Africa in Oujda on Friday.