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.

JKT Queens have added more silverware to their already growing cabinet after bagging the Tanzania Women’s Community Shield.

Fresh from winning the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers last month, JKT Queens stopped arch-rivals Simba Queens 2-1 in the final of the Community Shield played at the KMC Complex on Sunday.

Winfrida Gerald gave JKT Queens the lead, and Asha Omary netted an own goal to give the Zonal champions a 2-0 half time lead. Towards the end of the match Simba Queens pulled a goal back.

To reach the final Simba Queens ejected Mashujaa Queens 2-0, while JKT Queens saw off Yanga Princess in penalty shoot-outs 6-5 after a 1-all draw.

JKT Queens head coach Kessy Juma will now have huge task of preparing the team to defend the League title and also put up a good show in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Kenya and Tanzania have advanced to the third round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers 2026.

After a 1-1 draw away to Ethiopia in the first leg, Kenya’s Rising Starlets produced a stunning performance to outclass their opponents 4-0 in the return leg played on Sunday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.

The hosts were given an early scare when Ethiopian captain Mahelet Mitiku rattled the woodwork, with the rebound going just over the bar. That proved to be a wake-up call for Kenya, who quickly settled into their rhythm and took control of the match.

It didn’t take long for the breakthrough. In the 4th minute, Valarie Nekesa rose high to nod in a well taken cross from Vidah Akeyo. Twelve minutes later, Elizabeth Mideva doubled the lead with a fine low header from captain Fasila Adhiambo’s delivery.

Kenya’s skipper then produced a moment of brilliance in the 26th minute, her thunderous long-range effort hit the woodwork, bounced over the Ethiopian goalkeeper, and settled for the net to make it 3-0. The Starlets almost added a fourth before halftime when Lorine Ilavonga’s well-taken free kick narrowly missed the target.

The Rising Starlets who advanced on a 5-1 goal aggregate will now face Tanzania in the third round.

The Tanzanian side advanced on a 7-0 goal aggregate against Angola. After winning 4-0 in the first leg, Tanzania picked a 3-0 victory in a match played on Saturday in Luanda. Winfrida Hurbert Gerald, Asha Omary Ramadhani and Neema Paul Kinega scored for Tanzania.

In the other matches played CECAFA teams Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan were eliminated. Burundi suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Zambia to bow out 4-1 on aggregate, while Nigeria humbled visiting Rwanda 4-0 to qualify on a 5-0 goal aggregate. South Sudan and Malawi settled for a 1-1 draw in the return leg, but the Southern African team qualified on a 3-1 goal aggregate.

Kenya and Tanzania joined Uganda in the third round. The third round of the qualifiers will be played in February 2026.