The Harambee Starlets, Kenya's women's national football team, will kick off their 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers journey against Seychelles in the first leg of the second round at Nyayo Stadium. Following a challenging experience at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they failed to register a win or score a goal, the team is eager to bounce back. Under the guidance of interim coach Godfrey Oduor, they will look to make a strong statement against Seychelles.
The Harambee Starlets received a first-round bye and now face Seychelles, a side that lacks the infrastructure to consistently challenge top opponents. With a core of seasoned players who featured at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations and represented their clubs in high-profile leagues and tournaments, Kenya is considered the better side on paper. Oduor, who took over from former coach Beldine Odemba, will aim to lead the team to a win on aggregate and advance to the third round.
The team's performance at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations revealed tactical gaps but also hardened their mental strength. Despite suffering defeats to Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria, the exposure against high-level opponents provided invaluable lessons. Oduor will look to sharpen the team's attack, which was misfiring in Morocco, and turn it into a lethal force that converts created chances into goals.
The return of key players, including Egypt's FC Masar striker Jentrix Shikangwa, midfielder Corazone Aquino from Tanzania's Simba Queens, and Elizabeth Mideva from Lithuania's FC Gintra, will bolster the team's chances. These players were among those left out of the WAFCON squad and will add depth to the team.
Seychelles, on the other hand, will be looking to make a memorable Olympic qualifiers debut. The team will face a tough challenge against Kenya, who are expected to clinch victory in both legs and secure a third-round meeting with Malawi or Zimbabwe.
The second leg of the match is scheduled to take place on October 12, 2026, at 3 pm at Nyayo Stadium. The Harambee Starlets will look to translate their lessons from the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations into clinical execution in the final third and secure a win against Seychelles.
A win against Seychelles will be a significant step towards securing a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The team's progress in the qualifiers will be closely watched by fans and analysts, who will be eager to see if they can build on their experience from the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations and make a strong impact in the Olympic qualifiers.
Key points
- Harambee Starlets are expected to clinch victory in both legs against Seychelles and advance to the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers.
