Kenya’s Harambee Starlets smash Seychelles 22-0 to set Olympic qualifying record

Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have recorded their biggest aggregate victory after demolishing Seychelles 22-0 over two legs to advance in the qualifying campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The Starlets completed the emphatic triumph with another 11-0 victory in Monday’s return leg at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, reproducing their first-leg scoreline to underline their dominance over the island nation.

The result sends Kenya into the next round of qualifying, where they face a significantly tougher challenge against either Malawi or Zimbabwe as they pursue a place at the 2028 Olympic Games.

Shikangwa leads another goal rush

Kenya wasted little time asserting their authority in the return fixture, taking control from the opening minutes and overwhelming Seychelles with relentless attacking pressure.

Sylvia Makungu broke the deadlock in the sixth minute before Violet Nanjala doubled the lead six minutes later.

Jentrix Shikangwa then took centre stage, scoring twice in quick succession in the 17th and 20th minutes to put the hosts firmly in control.

Vivian Nasaka added a fifth goal in the 31st minute as Kenya carried a commanding 5-0 advantage into the break.

Having already established a comfortable lead, the Starlets showed no signs of slowing down after half-time, maintaining their intensity to complete another 11-goal performance.

Shikangwa completed her hat-trick, capping an impressive individual display as Kenya continued to exploit gaps in the Seychelles defence.

Foreign-based forward Mwanahalima Adam also made her mark, scoring twice in the 48th and 78th minutes to strengthen the hosts’ grip on the contest.

Fasila Adhiambo added another goal in the 85th minute before Marion Serenge struck twice late on, finding the net in the 87th minute and stoppage time to complete the 11-0 rout.

The result mirrored Kenya’s first-leg victory and sealed a remarkable 22-0 aggregate triumph, marking a significant milestone for the national women’s team.

Malawi or Zimbabwe await in next round

Despite their commanding progress, the Starlets will face a sterner examination in the next stage of the Olympic qualifiers.

Their opponents will be determined by the outcome of the tie between Malawi and Zimbabwe, with Malawi holding a 2-0 advantage ahead of Tuesday’s second leg in Harare.

The Scorchers secured that cushion in the first meeting through goals from sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, placing them in a strong position to progress.

Malawi will enter the return fixture with confidence after reaching the final of this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, a campaign that demonstrated their growing strength on the continental stage.

Zimbabwe, however, will have home advantage as they attempt to overturn the deficit and keep their Olympic qualification hopes alive.

Starlets face sterner Olympic test

Kenya’s emphatic victory over Seychelles provides an encouraging start to their bid to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The two-legged contest exposed a significant gulf between the sides, with the Starlets scoring 11 goals in each match without conceding.

However, the next round is likely to demand greater tactical discipline and defensive organisation, particularly if Malawi emerge as their opponents.

The potential meeting with the Scorchers would pit Kenya against a side that reached the WAFCON final and boasts the attacking threat of the Chawinga sisters.