Kenya set to host FIFA Women’s Series in Nairobi

The World Football body, FIFA has announced that Kenya will host one of the rounds of the FIFA Women’s Series at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

Hussein Mohammed, President of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed the development on Tuesday.

The FIFA Women’s Series (International friendlies) to feature four teams will take place April 11-15. Kenya’s Harambee Starlets will face India in one of the matches, while Australia take on Malawi. The winners will face off in the last matches, while the losers also battle in a play-off.

“Hosting this tournament is a big step for Kenya’s football. It not only gives our national team valuable international exposure but also strengthens our capacity to organise and deliver competitions at the highest level. We thank the Government for their support and collaboration in making this possible,” added Mohammed.

The Cabinet Secretary for Sports in Kenya, Salim Mvurya welcomed the development and said such opportunities in positioning Kenya on the global stage.

“Being able to host a tournament of this nature reflects the progress Kenya is making in sports development. It shows that we are moving in the right direction and strengthening our place on the global map. We appreciate the Federation’s alignment with the broader vision of growing sports in the country,” he added.

Teams: Kenya, Australia, India, Malawi

Uganda International Shadia Nankya has joined French Women’s Premiere Ligue side Le Harve AC.

The Club also known as Le Havre Athletic Club announced the development on Tuesday.

The talented defender joins the French side on a one and a half year contract joins from Dallas Trinity FC in USA.

“I am very happy to start a new chapter in my professional Football career,” said Nankya.

The Ugandan defender becomes the first Ugandan to play in the French Women’s Premiere Ligue.

The 25 year old defender last year signed for the Washington Spirit on a two-year contract in the USA, but was later loaned to Dallas Trinity.

Nankya who also first featured for Uganda Women’s League side, Lady Cardinals started her professional career with Egypt Women’s Premier League side FC Masar.

Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have arrived in Ivory Coast ahead of two International friendly matches against Benin and the hosts.

Under head coach Beldine Odemba, the Harambee Starlets will face Benin on Monday, and conclude with a match against Ivory Coast on March 4th at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé.

The two matches are will be used as build-ups ahead of the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) expected to take place in Morocco March 17th to April 3rd.

“We are glad that the team will play two build-up matches in Ivory Coast and later have time to camp in France,” said coach Odemba.

Ivory Coast are currently ranked 72nd in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, while Benin sit at 139. Kenya is currently placed 133rd.

Kenya and Tanzania are the two teams that qualified for the 2026 WAFCON. The Harambee Starlets are pooled in Group A alongside Morocco, Senegal and Algeria.

Final squad

Goalkeepers: Lilian Awuor, Annedy Kundu, Juliet Adhiambo

Defenders: Ruth Ingosi, Dorcas Shikobe, Enez Mango, Vivian Nasaka, Elizabeth Ochaka, Diana Ochol, Lorine Ilavonga, Elizabeth Muteshi

Midfielders: Lydia Akoth, Vidah Akeyo, Lorna Nyarinda, Fasila Adhiambo, Martha Amunyolet, Mwanalima Adam, Shaline Nambengele

Forwards: Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui, Jentrix Shikangwa, Shalyne Opisa, Airin Madalina, Valerie Nekesa, Eglay Mukhwana

Two teams from the CECAFA Zone Tanzania and Uganda have advanced to the final round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

After winning 1-0 in the return leg against Kenya of the third round played at the Azam Complex on Saturday, hosts Tanzania tied the match 1-1 and won 3-1 on penalty shoot-outs.

Winfrida Hubert netted the lone goal for the home side to ensure the match went into penalty shootouts.

In Ndola at the Mwanawasa Stadium, the Uganda Queen Cranes team shocked the hosts winning 1-0 with Mary Kantono scoring after 7 minutes. Uganda qualified for the next round on a 2-1 goal aggregate.

“We are very happy that the team played their hearts out and won the match away from home. We now need to prepare well ahead of the last group matches,” said Uganda’s head coach Sheryl Botes.

Uganda will now face Ghana, while Tanzania take on in the final Cameroon in the final phase of the qualifiers to book a place in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026.

Africa will be represented by the best four teams to join 20 others from other continents at the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to take place in Poland later this year.

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