Starlets Thrash Seychelles 11-0 in Olympic Qualifier
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets made an emphatic start to their 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualification campaign after defeating Seychelles 11-0 at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
The commanding victory in the first leg of the second qualifying round gave Kenya a substantial advantage ahead of the return match scheduled for Monday, October 12, at the same venue.
The result also offered the national women’s team an opportunity to build momentum following a difficult 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign, where Kenya exited the group stage without a win or a goal.
Under newly appointed head coach Godfrey “Solo” Oduor, the team displayed attacking confidence, quick movement and an ability to turn scoring opportunities into goals.
Starlets Take Control in the First Half
Kenya began the match on the front foot, putting pressure on the Seychelles defence from the opening minutes.
Valarie Nekesa opened the scoring in the eighth minute, giving the hosts an early advantage. Elizabeth Muteshi doubled the lead in the 25th minute after a defensive misunderstanding by Seychelles.
Nekesa then scored again in the 43rd minute, completing her brace and sending Kenya into the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
The first-half performance demonstrated the team’s ability to create chances through attacking movement and pressure in the final third.
Seychelles struggled to contain the Kenyan forwards as the match progressed, leaving the visitors with a difficult task after the interval.
Kenya Add Eight More Goals After the Break
The second half brought even more goals as the Kenyan side maintained its attacking intensity.
Muteshi scored her second goal in the 53rd minute before Airin Madalina extended the advantage in the 61st minute. Madalina later scored again, while Martha Amunyolete also found the net.
Mercy Airo and substitute Elizabeth Mideva contributed to the scoring spree, with Mideva netting twice late in the match.
The goals continued to arrive as Kenya exploited spaces in the opposition defence, eventually completing an 11-0 victory.
The result highlighted the team’s attacking depth, with several players contributing rather than relying on one scorer.
Godfrey Oduor Eyes Continued Improvement
The match marked an important competitive assignment for head coach Godfrey Oduor, who took charge following the departure of Beldine Odemba.
Oduor praised the players’ pace and attacking movement, particularly their use of the wings to stretch the opposition defence and create opportunities.
He also indicated that he planned to rotate the squad for the return leg, giving other players in camp a chance to feature.
Despite the large margin, the coach stressed the importance of maintaining concentration and continuing to create scoring opportunities.
The return fixture will therefore provide another opportunity for the team to demonstrate its tactical discipline and build consistency as the qualification campaign continues.
What the Victory Means for Kenya’s Olympic Dream
The 11-0 win puts Kenya in a strong position ahead of Monday’s second leg, although the tie must still be completed before the aggregate winner advances.
The team progressing from the tie will face either Malawi or Zimbabwe in the third qualifying round.
Reaching the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics would be a major achievement for Kenyan women’s football. However, the road remains long, with several qualifying stages still to be navigated.
For now, the emphatic opening result gives the players and supporters reason to be optimistic while keeping attention on the next match.
Starlets Must Maintain Focus in the Return Leg
The challenge for Kenya will be to carry the same energy into the return fixture without allowing the first result to affect their preparation.
A strong performance on Monday would help confirm their progress and provide another chance for the coaching staff to assess the squad.
The victory has also given the team an opportunity to reconnect with supporters after a disappointing continental tournament earlier in the year.
Harambee Starlets have made a powerful opening statement in the race for Olympic qualification. Their next task is to finish the tie professionally and continue building towards the ultimate goal of reaching Los Angeles in 2028.
