NAIROBI, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenya faces an uphill battle in the return leg next week after being held to a 0-0 draw by Tunisia in the first leg of their 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) first-round qualifier in Nairobi on Friday.

Despite strong home support, the Harambee Starlets failed to break down their opponents, leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance ahead of the return leg on February 26 in Sousse, Tunisia.

The winner on aggregate will advance to face either Niger or Gambia in the second and final qualifying round in October for a place at the 2026 WAFCON finals in Morocco. Gambia holds a 2-0 advantage after beating Niger away on Wednesday, with the return leg set for February 24.

"The referee favored them, every touch on their player was called out as a foul. It's not fair," Starlets forward Corazone Aquino told media after the match.

Tunisia frustrated the hosts by sitting deep and launching counterattacks, while Kenya had themselves to blame for missing key scoring opportunities.

Coach Beldine Odemba's side came out aggressively from the opening whistle, with seasoned striker Mwanahalima Adam threatening twice inside the first 10 minutes.

Her first effort hit the side netting in the third minute, while Tunisian goalkeeper Zohra Jelassi denied her again seven minutes later. Fasila Odhiambo also came close during an intense early spell that left the home crowd stunned at Kenya's inability to capitalize.

Tunisia, ranked 78th in the world, gradually found their rhythm and nearly punished 149th-ranked Kenya on the break in the 26th minute, but Chaima Alabbassi blasted her shot over the bar.

As the first half neared its end, Aquino and Odhiambo squandered two more golden opportunities for the hosts.

Tunisia emerged as the stronger side after the break, hitting the crossbar twice while Kenya struggled to create clear-cut chances.

The Starlets' best opportunity of the second half came in the dying minutes, when a cross from Elizabeth Wambui created chaos in the Tunisian penalty area, but the visitors eventually cleared the danger.

The final whistle blew to the dismay of the home crowd, with Tunisia now firm favorites to advance to the next round.

Despite the setback, Kenya remains hopeful of pulling off an upset away from home, as they look to return to the WAFCON finals for the first time since their debut in Cameroon in 2016.

The 12-team 2026 WAFCON tournament will take place in Morocco in March 2026.