Kenya’s Harambee Starlets qualified for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations for the first time ever on the away goal rule after 1-1 draw with Algeria in Nairobi on Tuesday.
The side had held the Lady Fennecs to a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Algiers last Friday and only a second half equalizer from substitute Cherish Avillia was all they needed to cancel Naima Bouhani’s opener on 23 minutes.
Kenya joined hosts Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt and Zimbabwe on the rota of already qualified teams.
“It is a great day for us and I am very emotional at this moment. These girls have created history despite everything they have been through,” head coach David Ouma told CAF Media.
“This is a gift to all the women in Kenyan football and it shows that with more investment, we can go further.”
Meanwhile, Reigning champions Nigeria also made it after defeating Senegal 2-0 in the second leg of their qualifier on Tuesday for a 3-1 win on aggregate.
South Africa were 3-0 winners over neighbours Botswana, registering a 5-0 aggregate score while Ghana made it 6-1 overall off their 4-0 victory over Tunisia.
