WAFCON Qualifiers: Kenya take on Botswana in crunch first leg tie

Kenya women’s national team - Harambee Starlets - will on Wednesday afternoon take on visiting Botswana in the first let tie of the final round of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers set for a 1500 EAT kickoff at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.

This match provides the last hurdle for the Kenyan side under head coach Beldine Odemba towards making their second ever appearance in the tournament, after qualifying for the 2016 edition in Cameroon - where they crashed out in the group stages.

Botswana, on the other hand, made their debut last year in Morocco, where they managed to get into the quarter finals.

Following Wednesday’s first leg, the two teams will meet up in the second leg in Botswana on 5 December 2023.

Head to Head

This will be the third time the two nations will be facing each other on the senior stage, having met in two legs of the 2016 Olympic Qualifiers.

Botswana won 2-1 in the first leg at home with Kenya winning their home tie 1-0 to make it to the next qualifying rounds.

Harambee Starlets set to train in Europe ahead of WAFCON

Team states

Kenya’s coach Odemba on Tuesday confirmed that her camp was “full house” and “readily prepared” for the game, and got a huge boost with the arrival of Ulinzi Starlets midfielder Sheryl Angachi from the Kenya Defence Forces recruitment training.

Her, plus the inclusion of foreign based players was lauded by Odemba who said: “So great to see everyone in camp. It was the kind of situation we wanted to be in and especially for Angachi who we tried so hard through the federation to have her released. We are very grateful.”

Botswana after making their arrival to the country on 26 November, have held training sessions at Utalii Grounds and Nyayo Stadium on Tuesday, with their coach Alex Basimanebotlhe opting on “physical and mental readiness” to make it to back to back tournament appearances.

What was said

Kenyan skipper Ruth Ingosi remained optimistic about Kenya’s chances of qualification saying: “It another huge assignment for us. Getting a second chance to play in the tournament will be big for us. 2016 was a long time ago, but we have zero pressure in this match. We want to settle in quickly and do our job.”

The same sentiments were echoed by Odemba, who maintained that “no team is unbeatable” and that her squad was ready for the game despite Botswana’s recent positive strides in the women’s game.

WAFCON Qualifiers: Returning Awuor fancies Starlets chances against Botswana

Qualification form

Kenya made it to the final round thanks to a 1-0 (1-1 on aggregate) 4-3 win on penalties against Cameroon in September, with Botswana seeing off hapless Gabon 10-1 in two legs.

FIFA Ranking

Only two positions separate the two teams, with Kenya ranked 147th, while Botswana occupy position 149.

The match kicks off at 1500 EAT, with fans enjoying free entry.