Kenya’s women’s national football team, Harambee Starlets, begins its journey towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games on Thursday, October 8, 2026, when they face Seychelles in the second round of the CAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers. The two sides will meet at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi, with the match scheduled to kick off at 3pm. The return fixture will also be played in Nairobi on Monday, October 12.
Kenya received a first-round bye in the African qualification tournament and therefore enters the competition at the second-round stage. The Starlets now need to overcome Seychelles over the two legs to keep their Olympic qualification hopes alive.
Starlets Target Strong Start
The Seychelles tie presents a fresh opportunity for Harambee Starlets following a difficult outing at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Kenya exited the continental tournament at the group stage after suffering defeats against Morocco, Senegal and Algeria. The team will now be looking to put that campaign behind them and begin the Olympic qualification journey on a positive note.
Interim head coach Godfrey Oduor will oversee his first assignment since taking charge of the national team. Oduor has had limited time to prepare the squad but has brought back several experienced players as he looks to build a team capable of progressing through the qualification rounds.
Shikangwa and Aquino Return
Among the notable names returning to the Starlets squad are forward Jentrix Shikangwa and midfielder Corazone Aquino. Shikangwa, who now plays for Egyptian side FC Masar, returns to the national team after missing the WAFCON squad. Aquino, the Simba Queens captain, has also been recalled and is expected to provide experience in midfield.
The final squad also features players such as Mwanalima Adam, Violet Nanjala, Vivian Nasaka, Ruth Ingosi, Enez Mango and Fasila Adhiambo. Oduor has also retained some young players as he seeks to combine experience with emerging talent.
Road to Los Angeles 2028
The Olympic qualification tournament features several rounds, with only two African teams eventually securing places at the 2028 Olympic women’s football tournament. Should Kenya eliminate Seychelles, the Starlets will advance to the third round, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the tie between Malawi and Zimbabwe.
The subsequent qualification rounds are scheduled for 2027, with the final round expected to determine Africa’s two representatives at the Los Angeles Olympics. For Kenya, progressing beyond Seychelles will therefore be an important first step towards achieving a place at the Games.
Two Matches in Nairobi
Both matches against Seychelles are being played in Nairobi, giving the Starlets the advantage of familiar surroundings. The first leg is scheduled for October 8 at 3pm, with the second meeting taking place on October 12, also at 3pm.
The winner will be determined on aggregate after the two matches. As the team begins its Olympic campaign, attention will be on whether Oduor can quickly strengthen the squad’s attacking play and guide the Starlets into the next round. A successful campaign would see Kenya move closer to securing one of Africa’s two available places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
