Kenya's Harambee Starlets beat Seychelles 11-0 in Olympic qualifier
Valary Nekesa scored twice before half-time and Kenya added eight more after the break in Nairobi. The second leg is on Monday.
Nairobi — Kenya's women's football team took a commanding step towards the next round of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games on Thursday, beating Seychelles 11-0 at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Capital FM reports.
The Harambee Starlets led 3-0 at half-time. Valary Nekesa opened the scoring in the eighth minute and added her second in the 43rd, with another goal coming in the 25th minute.
Eight more after the break
Kenya scored eight times in the second half. Capital FM lists Airin Madalina, Elizabeth Mideva, Mercy Airo, Martha Amunyolete and Elizabeth Muteshi among the scorers alongside Nekesa.
The margin leaves the return match close to a formality. The second leg will be played on Monday, 12 October, also at Nyayo Stadium.
What comes next
The winner of the tie will meet whichever team comes through the qualifier between Malawi and Zimbabwe.
African qualifying for the Olympic women's football tournament is played over several two-legged knockout rounds, and only a small number of places are available to the continent. Kenya has never played at the Olympic Games in women's football.
The Starlets have been rebuilding their standing in the African game after qualifying for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, and a deep run in Olympic qualifying would add to that.
This report is based on reporting by Capital FM, via AllAfrica. The second leg had not been played when it was written.
