Coach Odemba Responds To Critics

Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has responded to the criticism she faced six days ago after they recorded a barren draw in the first leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Tunisia.
Odemba came under fire on social media as fans questioned her methods and fielding in the match staged at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.The tactician and the team offered the perfect response to the draw and criticism by winning the return leg 1-0 on Wednesday to advance to the second and final round of the qualifiers.
While answering questions from the press after the team returned home on Friday morning, Odemba dismissed suggestions that the team was determined to silence critics in Tunis.
“We did not win to silence anyone, we did it to show that something is happening in women's football in the county. We won because we had the support and we were ready to do it,” remarked the CAF A license holder shortly after the team touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
With Starlets set to face The Gambia in the final qualification round in October, Odemba revealed plans to play two friendly matches before the crucial encounter. The Gambia eliminated Niger 4-1 on aggregate thanks to the 2-0 and 2-1 home and away wins respectively.Odemba admitted to having tracked their performance in the two matches to understand their strengths and weaknesses.