The Kenya women’s national football team is set to take on Australia following a convincing 2-0 victory over India in a 2026 FIFA Series match held at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
Coached by Beldine Odemba, the Harambee Starlets secured the win with a goal in each half during the sunny conditions of Nairobi.
Martha Amunyolet and Terry Engesha were the scorers for the Starlets in this lively encounter. This tournament forms part of the Harambee Starlets preparation for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled in Morocco from July 25 to August 16.
Meanwhile, Malawi’s Scorchers had a challenging start to their tournament as they suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat against Australia, who capitalised on an early opportunity in the sixth minute, catching Malawi’s defence off guard with a swift attack.
Malawi’s Struggles Against Australia
Despite their rough start, the Scorchers began to find their rhythm as the match progressed, pushing forward in search of an equaliser.
Just before the halftime whistle, Malawi nearly made it onto the scoresheet with a free kick from Rose Kadzere, which was saved. The follow-up attempt by Vanessa Chikupila was also blocked, but Australia extended their lead to 2-0 in the 41st minute as they went into the break.
Malawi continued to show determination in the second half, with Chikupila trying her luck from distance in the 53rd minute, though her shot was comfortably saved.
Australia pushed their advantage further with goals in the 60th, 86th, and 90+2 minutes, capitalising on defensive errors to secure a dominant win. Following this result, the Scorchers are set to face India in the third-place play-off on Wednesday.
Post-match, Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili reflected on the experience, stating: “Lessons have been learnt; it was certainly a tough match against a well-experienced side. They are quick to exploit mistakes.
“Our goalkeeper performed reasonably well, but there were moments where she could have done better to prevent the goals. There is a significant gap between the teams we encounter in the COSAFA region and Australia.
“We face players with extensive experience in Europe, but we have gained valuable insights.”
Prior to the tournament, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed expressed enthusiasm for hosting the Series, emphasising its importance for local football development.
“Hosting this tournament represents a major leap for Kenyan football. It not only provides our national team with vital international experience but also enhances our capabilities in organising and managing competitions at the highest level,” Hussein stated.
Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya, underscored the significance of such events for Kenya’s international standing.
“Being able to host a tournament of this calibre highlights the progress Kenya has made in sports development,” Mvurya said.
“It demonstrates that we are making strides in the right direction and bolstering our position on the global stage. We appreciate the Federation’s commitment to aligning with the broader vision of enhancing sports in our country.”
Australia: The Highest-Ranked Team
The tournament will wrap up on Wednesday, April 15, with the third-place match kicking off at 2:00 pm, followed by the final at 6:00 pm, which will determine the first-ever FIFA Women’s Series champion.
Hosting the FIFA Women’s Series offers Kenya a chance to bolster vital aspects of football development beyond just game play.
The tournament will facilitate advancements in event management, operational planning, and match officiating, while also providing essential experience in overseeing international competitions.
Among the four competing teams, Australia is the highest ranked at 15th in the world, followed by India in 67th, Kenya in 134th, and Malawi in 153rd.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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