Starlets fired up for Tunisia test, call for home fans support

Harambee Starlets midfielder Corazon Aquino has rallied fans to show up in large number when the team takes on Tunisia in the first leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier slated for Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

A squad of 36 has been training at the Kasarani Annex since February 10 and Aquino believes they are progressing on well ahead of the task.

Aquino who plies her trade in Tanzania with heavyweights Simba Queens believes that playing at home will give them an advantage of harvesting maximum points before the second leg three days later in Tunis.

“Our opponents are tough but due to the proper training we have had so far, we believe we will overcome them. We are hereby appealing to our fans from all walks of lives to come out in numbers and support us, and we promise not to let you down," said Aquino.

Aquino's sentiments were echoed by teammate Mwanahalima 'Dogo' Jereko, who features for Kansas City in the United States.

“It’s another opportunity to show the world that we are the A giants. I’m calling upon our fans to come in big numbers and give us that value of playing at home. The tickets are already on sale and unveiling themselves in the stadium will be a big boost to us as players”

Tickets for the match are available for purchase online through tikiti.co.ke, with prices set at KSh. 500 for VIP and Ksh 100 for regular tickets.

Head coach Beldine Odemba’s squad boasts of a blend of experienced and youthful players, including 10 foreign-based.

If Kenya will manage to beat Tunisia on aggregate, then they will be meet the winner between Niger and Gambia in the next round of the qualifiers.

“It's always important to play at home in familiar weather in front of our fans. We urge our fans to come out in numbers and support us as we hunt for maximum points," said Odemba.

Kenya is looking to qualify for the continental showpiece, having last participated in 2016, when it was held in Cameroon.

They narrowly missed qualification in 2023, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Botswana in the second round.

Their competitors, Tunisia, in their part, have qualified for the WAFCON twice, the last time being in 2022.