Sevilla forward part of The Gambia squad for WAFCON qualifiers against Harambee Starlets

The Gambia have unveiled their final 23-player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers against Harambee Starlets, with the first leg set for Friday, 24 October at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, and the return leg scheduled for Tuesday, 28 October in Senegal.

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The Scorpions are expected to arrive in Nairobi on Wednesday morning to finalise preparations for the decisive two-legged tie. The aggregate winner will secure a spot in next year’s WAFCON, whose host nation is yet to be confirmed.

The Gambian team features a strong home-based contingent, led by Police FC, who have contributed five players, while Red Scorpions FC have four. Champions Berewuleng FC and TMT FC each have three representatives in the squad that has been in camp for months, gearing up for the Kenya challenge.

Coach Mariama Sowe has also included a few foreign-based stars, among them Mam Drammeh and Mariama Cham of AS Bambey FC (Senegal), Ola Buwaro of Locomotive Moskva (Russia), Penda Bah of Viimsi JK (Estonia), and star forward Fatoumata I. Kanteh Cham, who turns out for Sevilla FC in Spain.

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Meanwhile, the Harambee Starlets have intensified their training at the Kasarani Annex under head coach Beldine Odemba. The foreign-based players have already linked up with the team ahead of Friday’s crucial first leg.

Gambia Squad vs Kenya

Goalkeepers: Mary N.F. Gomez (TMT FC), Aminata Gaye (Police FC)

Defenders: Diminga Mendy (Berewuleng FC), Wuday Colley (Greater Tomorrow FC), Bintou Ceesay (Police FC), Kaddy Sanyang (Berewuleng FC), Metta Sanneh (Police FC), Isatou Jallow (Police FC), Fatou Sonko (Police FC)

Midfielders: Fatou Fatty (Red Scorpions FC), Jarra Jambang (TMT FC), Mariama Cham (AS Bambey FC, Senegal), Kaddy Jatta (Red Scorpions FC), Kaddijatou Bayo (Red Scorpions FC), Kaddijatou Jallow (TMT FC), Fatoumata Jammeh (Red Scorpions FC), Mam Drammeh (AS Bambey FC, Senegal), Sarah Jarju (Berewuleng FC)

Forwards: Manyima Stevelmans (Riga FC, Latvia), Juana Colley (Koita FC), Penda Bah (Viimsi JK, Estonia), Fatoumata I. Kanteh Cham (Sevilla FC, Spain), Ola Buwaro (Locomotive Moskva, Russia)

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Harambee Starlets provisional squad

Goalkeepers:

Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets), Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Girls Soccer), Lilian Awuor (Farul Constanța, Turkey), Mercy Akoth (Vihiga Queens)

Defenders:

Lorine Ilavonga (Ulinzi Starlets), Ruth Ingosi (Simba Queens), Dorcas Neema (Kibera Soccer Women), Tabitha Amoit (Ulinzi Starlets), Dorcas Shikobe (Sirens of Grevena, Greece), Norah Ann (Kenya Police Bullets), Enez Mango (Farul Constanța, Turkey), Leah Andiema (Kenya Police Bullets), Lavyne Ochola (Kayole Starlet), Janet Mumo (Kibera Soccer Women), Vivian Nasaka (Hakkarigücüspor, Turkey), Kikky Masika (Zetech Sparks)

Midfielders:

Lydia Akoth (Yanga Princess), Medina Abubakar (Kenya Police Bullets), Corazone Aquino (Simba Queens), Diana Wacera (Kenya Police Bullets), Sheryl Angach (Ulinzi Starlets), Martha Amnyolet (Vihiga Queens), Elizabeth Muteshi (Trinity Starlets), Beverlyn Adika (Zetech Sparks), Keziah Ngaira (Ulinzi Starlets), Lavender Ann (Ulinzi Starlets), Fasila Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets)

Forwards:

Mwanalima Adam (HB Køge, Denmark), Charity Midewa (PalmHill Sports Club, Egypt), Diana Cherono (Vihiga Queens), Tereza Engesha (Wuhan Jiangda, China), Faith Mboya (Kibera Soccer Women), Catherine Khaemba (Bungoma Queens), Tumaini Waliaula (Sirens of Grevena, Greece), Violet Nanjala (United Eagles FC, Saudi Arabia), Elizabeth Wambui (Simba Queens), Shirleen Opisa (Amus College, Uganda), Nicoline Hawi Muteshi (Iron Ladies FC)

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