Harambee Starlets Eye Strong First-Leg Performance to Boost Qualification WAFCON Hopes
Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has stressed the importance of securing a dominant victory in the first leg of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Tunisia this Friday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Absa training ground on Monday, Odemba emphasized that winning at home is key to progressing to the next round of the qualifiers.
“It’s always a big advantage to play at home, where we train regularly and have familiar conditions, including fan support,” she said. “If we are to advance, we must win this match. We call on our supporters to turn up in large numbers to cheer us on.”
Kenya last participated in WAFCON nine years ago, and the Starlets are eager to make a strong statement as they return to the continental stage.
As part of their buildup, the Starlets played two friendly matches, securing a 6-0 win over Zetech Sparks and a 2-1 victory against reigning Women’s Premier League champions, Kenya Police Bullets.
Odemba noted that these games provided valuable tactical insights for her technical team.
“The friendlies helped us assess different tactical approaches and identify areas needing improvement. We’ve been working on those aspects, and we may play one more friendly before the match to fine-tune our preparations,” she revealed.
New Talent Boosts Squad Depth
The coach also highlighted the integration of 11 new players into the squad, a move she says reflects the growing pool of talent in Kenyan women’s football.
“The fact that we’ve brought in 11 new players shows the depth of talent available in the country. Whenever we identify promising players, we ensure they get exposure at the national level,” she added.
Despite the team’s thorough preparations, Odemba remains cautious about the threat posed by Tunisia. She acknowledged that the North African side has an edge in terms of frequent international exposure.
“Tunisia is consistently active in FIFA windows and international competitions, which gives them experience. However, we are ready to give our best and push them to the limit,” she affirmed.
While expressing confidence in her squad, Odemba confirmed that some players might miss the game due to injuries but chose not to disclose details.
“Yes, we have a few injury concerns, but I’d prefer not to go into details at the moment,” she concluded.
The return leg of the tie is set for Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in Tunis, Tunisia, where the Starlets will look to finish the job and book a spot in the next qualification phase.