Kenya’s Harambee Starlets cruised into the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic women’s football qualifiers after demolishing Seychelles 11-0 in the second leg at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Monday, October 12, to complete a commanding 22-0 aggregate victory.
The huge win followed a similar 11-0 triumph in the first leg on October 8 at the same venue, as interim head coach Godfrey Oduor’s charges made a strong statement in their bid to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time.
Starlets will take on either Malawi or Zimbabwe in the third round, with the two nations scheduled to play their second-round return leg on Tuesday, October 13. The third round is scheduled for February and March 2027.
Kenya’s goals in Monday’s encounter came through Jentrix Shikangwa, who scored a hat-trick, captain Mwanalima Adam who netted twice, alongside Marion Serenge, who also scored a brace, including a penalty. Fasila Adhiambo, Silvia Makungu, Vivian Nasaka and Violet Nanjala were also on target.
The result marked an encouraging response from Starlets following their disappointing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in Morocco, where they exited at the group stage without a point or a goal.
Oduor, who took over on an interim basis following Beldine Odemba’s departure, praised his players and said the team would now turn its attention to the next challenge.
“We will watch Malawi versus Zimbabwe. After that, we will start preparing,” disclosed Oduor, adding that he hoped to have a bigger pool of players to assess as Kenya seeks to strengthen its squad.
He singled out Shikangwa for her goalscoring ability and praised Makungu for making the most of her opportunity at senior level.
“I was with her in the under-20s, so we were giving her a chance to play at senior level, and today she gave a good account of herself. We hope to see even much better from her,” he said of Makungu.
Oduor also anticipated a difficult next assignment, regardless of whether Malawi or Zimbabwe advances.
“Malawi were in WAFCON, Kenya also was in WAFCON, so we expect fireworks between Malawi and Kenya, or Zimbabwe and Kenya. It will be hot,” he predicted.
Captain Mwanalima Adam noted that the team had already shifted its focus to the next round and would approach either potential opponent with confidence.
“The huge win against Seychelles is good motivation for all the players, those who have played and those who have not played. We have made this happen because it is all about teamwork,” she observed.
“We will play the way we know how to play. We will play the way our coach has taught us. Whomever will come our way is okay.”
For Seychelles head coach Chris Yip-Au Hew Seem, the heavy loss offered valuable lessons for a young team still developing its technical, tactical and physical capabilities.
She compared facing Kenya to standing at the foot of a mountain, acknowledging the challenge posed by a more experienced and physically stronger opponent.
“We are starting right now at the base of the mountain, and we are trying to climb up. Along the way, it’s not going to be a smooth ride. Sometimes we go up, sometimes we stumble,” she explained.
“But I think what’s most important is that we keep moving forward, because that’s how we learn. Progress is not linear.”
Yip-Au Hew Seem also appealed to the Seychelles Football Federation to continue supporting the team despite the scoreline, warning that withdrawing resources after heavy defeats would hinder development.
“If we are not given the opportunity to go and learn, we will always be this way,” she noted, stressing that the squad had a long journey ahead.
Kenya are chasing a historic first appearance at the Olympic women’s football tournament, which was introduced at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Starlets have previously attempted to qualify without success and will hope this campaign finally delivers a breakthrough.
Only two African nations will qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, making the upcoming rounds increasingly decisive for Kenya’s ambitions.
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