Kenya's Harambee Starlets have powered into the second round of the LA 2028 Olympic Qualifiers after defeating Seychelles 11-0 in the second leg, mirroring their first-leg scoreline to seal an extraordinary 22-0 aggregate victory. The match took place at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Monday afternoon. Interim head coach Geoffrey "Solo" Oduor rotated his starting lineup, featuring returning senior and overseas-based players.
The Harambee Starlets demonstrated relentless tactical superiority from the opening whistle, with Jentrix Shikangwa scoring a hat-trick and Marion Serenge adding a late double. Sylvia Makungu, Violet Nanjala, Vivian Nasaka, Mwanalima Adam, and Fasila Adhiambo also found the back of the net. The team's dominant display was spearheaded by Shikangwa's clinical finishes, with the forward announcing her return to the national team setup in style.
Coach Geoffrey "Solo" Oduor opted to rotate his starting XI, calling upon his senior, foreign-based stars to balance match sharpness across the squad. The transition proved seamless as Kenya established total control within minutes. Sylvia Makungu opened the scoring in the sixth minute, tapping home after Seychelles goalkeeper repelled an initial strike from Violet Nanjala.
The Starlets maintained their high-intensity pressing after the restart, with captain Mwanalima Adam pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area in the 48th minute. Shikangwa completed her hat-trick shortly past the hour mark with a composed finish. Fasila "Kamama" Adhiambo added Kenya's eighth with a spectacular long-range effort in the 85th minute.
Marion Serenge then capped off the afternoon, winning and converting an 87th-minute penalty before adding a field goal in stoppage time to mirror Thursday's scoreline exactly. The Harambee Starlets' victory sealed an astonishing 22-0 aggregate triumph across four days in Nairobi, safely propelling Kenya into the second round of the CAF qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Speaking post-match, Oduor praised his team's focus and depth, stating that the players on the pitch wanted to prove they too could score eleven after rotating the team following the success of the first leg. Seychelles head coach Chris Yip-Au graciously conceded the gap in class, noting that standing in front of Kenya is like standing in front of a mountain.
The dominant display marks an ideal restart for the Starlets following early exit frustrations at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) earlier in the year. With the first round completed, Kenya advances to the second round of the 2028 Olympic Qualifiers, scheduled for February and March 2027. The Starlets will face the aggregate winner of the tie between Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Key points
- Harambee Starlets sealed a 22-0 aggregate victory over Seychelles in the LA 2028 Olympic Qualifiers.
- The team will face the aggregate winner of the tie between Malawi and Zimbabwe in the second round.
- Jentrix Shikangwa scored a hat-trick in the second leg, contributing to the team's dominant display.
