Historic night for Mwanalima Adam in UEFA Women's Champions League debut

• The Gunners edged the contest 1-0 courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty, despite a spirited performance from Jereko and her side, pushing the two-time European champions to the absolute limit.

Harambee Starlets captain Mwanalima Adam celebrates with her HB Køge teammate after winning a past match. Photo/Handout.

Harambee Starlets captain Mwanalima Adam "Dogo" Jereko made history on Tuesday night by becoming only the third Kenyan woman to feature in the UEFA Women's Champions League after starting for Danish champions HB Køge against Arsenal at Meadow Park.

The Gunners edged the contest 1-0 courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty, despite a spirited performance from Jereko and her side, pushing the two-time European champions to the absolute limit.

Arsenal dominated possession and created early chances through Kyra Cooney-Cross and Frida Maanum, while a Smilla Holmberg corner hit the crossbar and Leah Williamson fired over from close range.

An early Arsenal goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review, and Køge goalkeeper Alberte Vingum pulled off several key saves to keep the scores level.

The deadlock was finally broken deep into stoppage time when substitute Selina Cerci was brought down in the box, allowing Mariona Caldentey to convert the resulting penalty and secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory for the Gunners.

Despite the late setback, the milestone caps a remarkable rise for the Mombasa-born forward. Raised in Likoni and Kilindini, Jereko’s journey began with Mombasa Olympic and Thika Queens—where she finished as the Kenyan Women’s Premier League top scorer in 2021—before taking her to Turkey's Hakkarigücü Spor and NWSL club Kansas City Current, who loaned her to HB Køge in 2025.

Her appearance follows HB Køge's dramatic qualifying run, where they eliminated Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven 2-1 on aggregate.

The achievement makes Jereko just the second Kenyan footballer, alongside Marjoleen Nekesa, to reach the competition's main phase.

HB Køge will look to bounce back when they continue their European campaign against Swiss side Servette FC Chênois Féminin on Wednesday, October 1.