Harambee Starlets took a huge step towards the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers after crushing Seychelles 11-0 in the first leg of their second-round tie at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Thursday, October 8.
Valary Nekesa scored twice, as did Elizabeth Muteshi, Airin Madalina, Mercy Airo and Elizabeth Mideva, while Martha Amunyolete also got on the scoresheet in a one-sided contest.
Nekesa needed just eight minutes to put Kenya ahead before Muteshi doubled the lead in the 25th minute. Nekesa then struck again in the 43rd minute to send the Starlets into the break 3-0 ahead.
Muteshi completed her brace nine minutes after the restart, with Madalina adding Kenya’s fifth in the 61st minute.
The Starlets continued to find openings as the game entered its final stages. Madalina scored again in the 82nd minute before Amunyolete made it 7-0 a minute later.
Mercy Airo joined the scoring in the 86th minute, with Mideva adding another in the 87th. The pair then struck again in stoppage time, Airo scoring in the 90+1st minute before Mideva completed the rout at 90+3.
The result leaves Kenya with an 11-goal advantage going into the second leg and gives Seychelles a mountain to climb in the return fixture.
The tie is being played as part of the African qualification tournament for the 2028 Olympic women’s football competition. Kenya entered the second round after receiving a bye in the opening phase.
The match was also Godfrey Oduor’s first competitive assignment as interim head coach of the Starlets. Oduor took charge after Beldine Odemba’s departure from the national team.
Kenya will host Seychelles again on Monday, October 12, at Ulinzi Sports Complex. The Starlets will need to avoid a major collapse to secure their passage to the next round after establishing such a commanding lead in the first leg.
The qualification campaign is part of Kenya’s bid to reach the women’s football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
