Kenya’s national women’s football team, Harambee Starlets, stand one match away from achieving qualification to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2016. Starlets progressed to the final qualification round following a 1-0 aggregate win over Tunisia.
A solitary goal win away in Sousse, Kenya’s first win on enemy territory since 2006, was enough to sail the girls to the determining round. The two sides had drawn 0-0 in the first leg in Nairobi and Kenya travelled up north under pressure to perform away from home.
The Kenyan girls have now booked a date against Gambia in the final qualification round to be played later in the year.
The victory in Tunisia has brought massive confidence that the team can qualify for the 2026 showpiece, having missed out on this year’s competition by the slimmest of margins.
One of those who remains confident Kenya will play Continental football in 2026 is international player Esse Akida. The 31-year old was part of Kenya’s team that competed at the 2016 WAFCON, and was also in the squad that competed in the qualifiers last year.
She wasn’t part of the team that played Tunisia however, as she is yet to find a new club after leaving Greece.
Akida spoke exclusively to Telecomasia.net about Kenya’s chances for the 2026 WAFCON, the growth of women’s football and what the future holds both for her and the women’s game in Kenya.
- Kenya put up a great fight against Tunisia and won. Does this inspire confidence that the team can qualify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations?
- Definitely. Looking at the way we played away from home and got a result inspires a lot of confidence. I am very proud of what the girls achieved. Of course I believe I believe we can go back to WAFCON. We have a chance and we have a good team and I hope the Federation can give the team maximum support towards the second qualification round so that we can finish the job.
- You were part of the team that played in the qualifiers last year but this time round you are missing after leaving Greece. Are you still open to playing for the national team?
- Of course I am very much open to playing for the national team if called upon. I am still an active player and it is just that I am yet to pick my next team but I am very much available. I haven’t even thought about retirement. I am still working on getting a new team and I have been doing my best to keep fit as I wait for the best opportunity.
Yes, I am going back soon. I have received several offers but I am still taking my time to pick the best solution for my future. If I was to pick anything that came my way, then I would be playing now. But I have goals, ambitions and dreams and my next team must align to these. It is just a matter of time and I will be able to make my next move.
- You made so many great memories during your time in Greece. How would you sum up your time there?
- Greece was a very great place for me and I really enjoyed playing there. We made history constantly competing in the Women’s Champions League and we achieved so much as a team. It was a great experience for me and really shaped me to who I am today both on and off the field.
- Women’s football has shown tremendous growth over the past few years and last year, the U17 girls became the first ever Kenyan team to play at a World Cup. Does this signify better things to come?
- It was a hugely proud moment for all of us when the young girls made it to the World Cup. It shows that women’s football needs just a little support, a little investment to grow. We invested a bit in the U17 girls team and we showed the world what we can do. If this is done more, then the potential is immense.
If the Federation can give even 50 percent of the support they give to the men’s team to women, I believe we can go far. Our leagues are not sponsored or supported as the men’s and we need just a bit of investment and we will show the world that indeed we have a telented pool of women footballers in Kenya.
- While you are searching for a new employer, you have been working on your community projects as well with the second edition of the Esse Akida Foundation tournament in your rural home. How was that experience for you?
- Honestly it was really great. This being the second edition, we made it bigger and better and I am super proud of the effort we put in and what we achieved. It hasn’t been an easy journey but we made it happen. It is such a joy because we achieved more than my expectation. I also received a lot of support and the most impressive thing is that we managed to do a separate men and women’s tournament. Last year we did a mixed seven-a-side tournament and this year we managed to do a full 11 v 11 tournament.
- How massive is this for your community and what you want to build for them?
- This is a really great platform for them. I come from a community where, growing up, we didn’t have competitions like these. Now, things have changed and people are understanding football better and that it is a tool for employment. They have also seen that talent can change people’s lives through what has happened for me. I believe that this tournament will grow in future.
- One thing that is particularly close to you is women’s football and you had five teams for the first ever edition. How proud were you?
- Very proud. The interest in women’s football has really picked. Though it is not at 100 percent I believe we will get there. The lack of interest mostly is because there are no opportunities to play and there are no facilities. But having five teams for the first time ever is a great step for my community. We also use the chance to educate them about the benefits of football and when the parents attend it also becomes better for them.
- What’s your dream ultimately, with this tournament?
- I want to one day see this held as a big festival that will not only incorporate football but also arts. At the moment I am trying to gather as much support as possible because it is never easy doing this from your own pocket. With more stakeholders, we can make this the best tournament in the country.
- Finally, a word of encouragement to aspiring women footballers?
- I would just want to encourage them to keep working and keep believing. There is nothing impossible no matter where you come from. You might come from the most remote village, but can still make something for yourself. It is all about belief, and hard work. I came from a humble background, playing barefoot but here I am now. It is possible for everyone.
