Kenya’s Harambee Starlets to Battle Botswana in Second Round of WAFCON Qualifiers

Harambee Starlets are now set to face Botswana in November after securing their spot in the second round of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers in a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Cameroon on Tuesday at Nyayo Stadium.

Starlets had previously secured a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture, thanks to Cynthia Shilwatso’s expertly taken 75th-minute goal.

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers have produced a series of exhilarating matches, setting the stage for intense second-round encounters in November.

Cameroon’s exit marks the first time since 1991 that the Indomitable Lionesses will not participate in the finals. Their departure paves the way for Botswana, who dominated Gabon 10-1 on aggregate, to face the Starlets in a highly anticipated showdown.

In another dramatic twist, Cote d’Ivoire, despite defeating Tanzania 2-0 in the first leg, succumbed to a penalty shootout defeat. Tanzania’s 4-2 victory in the return leg sealed their place in the finals.

The high-flying Tunisia, known as The Eaglets of Carthage, demonstrated their dominance by overwhelming Niger 12-1 on aggregate, positioning themselves as strong contenders for Morocco 2024.

Burundi secured their spot in the next round by edging out Ethiopia 5-3 in a post-match penalty shootout, although they now face the formidable challenge of facing Algeria in the second round.

Other teams progressing to the next stage include Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Togo, Congo, and Namibia, each with their unique stories of triumph.

The second-round fixtures promise to deliver more thrilling encounters, as these teams battle for a coveted spot in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.