JEREKO MAKES HISTORY: HARAMBEE STARLETS CAPTAIN DEBUTS IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Harambee Starlets captain Mwanalima Adam Jereko made her UEFA Women’s Champions League league-phase debut on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as Danish side HB Køge faced Arsenal in London.

Jereko was named in HB Køge’s starting XI for the historic encounter, lining up in attack as the Danish champions took on the two-time European champions. UEFA’s official line-up confirms that the Kenyan international started the match. 

HB Køge produced a disciplined defensive display and kept Arsenal scoreless for most of the match. The hosts, however, secured a 1-0 victory through Mariona Caldentey’s stoppage-time penalty, leaving the Danish side without a point from their opening league-phase fixture. 

For Jereko, the appearance marked another significant step in her European career. Her club had secured its place in the Champions League league phase after eliminating PSV Eindhoven 2-1 on aggregate in the qualifying round. 

The achievement also places Jereko among a small group of Kenyan women to reach the main phase of Europe's premier women's club competition. She is the second Kenyan player to do so, following former Harambee Starlets international Marjoleen Nekesa, who reached the competition with Slavia Prague in 2023. 

HB Køge's Champions League campaign will continue with matches against Barcelona, Benfica, Paris FC, Servette and OH Leuven as part of the 18-team league phase. 

Despite the narrow defeat in London, Jereko's Champions League debut represents another landmark moment for Kenyan women's football as the Harambee Starlets captain continues to compete at the highest level of European club football.