How Harambee Starlets overcame huge odds to qualify for Cup of Nations

What you need to know:

  • Kenya has no formal women’s league
  • Uhuru leads from the front in victory
  • Just a year ago, they were in a sorry state at Kasarani while training for the Olympics... Now, they are set the continental bonanza

It was a script straight from heaven. Only God would direct such a play. No one gave them a chance, not even the prophets.

After a challenging year, the national women’s football team overcame huge odds to qualify for the 2016 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Tuesday evening.

The Starlets qualified on the away goals rule after beating the highly-fancied Algeria 3-3 on aggregate. After a breathtaking 2-2 draw in Algiers on Friday night, all they needed to do was a low-scoring draw to secure a historic slot to the finals.

They didn’t disappoint. True to the script, they drew 1-1 and earned their place in history. For a country with no formal women’s league, Starlets’ performance lifted many spirits.

Just about a year ago, the same team was struggling in the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifiers.

The team’s first pot of call was a friendly match against Egypt at the Machakos Stadium, a contest the hosts lost by a solitary goal scored via Salwa Mansour’s header.

Then came Botswana. In the run-up to this fixture, the Starlets suffered through the trademark challenges in preparations and travel plans, as did most of the national teams during the former FKF regime.

The team arrived in the Southern African nation on the eve of the match with no little time to acclimatise, and went on to lose the first leg 2-1.

In the return leg in Machakos, all seemed lost until the gallant women struck the decisive goal at the death to knockout their stubborn opponents, and crucially progress to the final round of qualification where South Africa stood in wait.

Then the problems intensified. It got desperate when the girls retreated to the Safaricom Stadium changing rooms (not hostels) due to unavailability of money to secure proper accommodation. Yes, changing rooms. That’s where they stayed during training.

With all these challenges, they were narrowly eliminated by South Africa from the Olympics qualifiers. But how fast things change.

After the shambolic Rio campaign, Sofapaka tactician David Ouma assembled virtually the same side to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The first opponent - Democratic Republic of Congo - withdrew, citing a lack of funds.

Then came Algeria and the turn-around was complete. The Starlets will now join seven other teams including holders Nigeria and hosts Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, a feat their male counterparts have failed for the past decade.

Harambee Starlets’ Cheris Salano (#7) celebrates scoring against Algeria with team-mates during their 2016 Africa Cup of Nations women’s qualifier at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani on April 12, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Harambee Starlets goalkeepers trainer Lawrence Webo (left) celebrates with goalkeeper Ann Apondi after their 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Algeria at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on April 12, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario (left) joins FKF President Nick Mwendwa (right) to congratulate Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma after the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Kenya and Algeria at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on April 12, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

With the qualification done, the hard work for the team now begins. They will need proper preparations and support from key stakeholders.

Competing at the Cup of Nations finals requires that they be at top level if they’re to challenge the continent’s best. Ouma, aware of the magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead, has stressed the need for a well-coordinated training programme.

“We have done the hard part (to qualify) and now we’ll have to see how to prepare but first of all, the girls will take a rest to recover but once that is  done, we will have to arrange for proper  training,” said Ouma after the match on Tuesday.

“Going to camp in a place like Naivasha will be beneficial and it’s something we will be discussing with the federation. They have been very supportive and I believe that together we will do well.”

Harambee Starlets fans rally behind the team during their 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Algeria at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on April 12, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Harambee Starlets fans rally behind the team during their 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Algeria at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on April 12, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Harambee Starlets' Ann Anyango (left) vies for the ball with Algeria's Myriam Yasmine during their 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on April 12, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Algeria goalkeeper Bouhenni Naima stops an attempt on goal under pressure from Harambee Starlets striker Esse Mbeyu during their 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on April 12, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa said: “We have shown that if you prepare well and stay positive, results will follow.

“The road to Cameroon begins now. We must, at least, reach the semi-finals. The team will be training in a number of days every month. We are also going to organise a number of international friendly matches to help them.”

An Algerian player is consoled by a teammate after the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Kenya and Algeria at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on April 12, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Algeria's Horiya Affak reacts after their their 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on April 12, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP