Odemba reveals secrets behind Starlets’ WAFCON qualification after nine years in cold
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 29.10.25. | 20:30
Kenya last featured at WAFCON in 2016, and after several failed attempts
Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has revealed some of the key factors that propelled Kenya to qualify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
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Kenya last featured at the WAFCON in 2016, and after several failed attempts, including a heartbreaking final-round loss to Botswana in the 2024 qualifiers, Starlets finally broke the jinx.
Odemba’s charges overcame Tunisia 1-0, on aggregate, before thrashing The Gambia 4-1 over two legs to book their return to the continental showpiece.
Despite facing criticism during the campaign over her tactics and squad selections, Odemba stood firm and ultimately silenced her doubters by leading the team back to the big stage.
“It is not about me, it is about the country. The country has qualified after nine years,” Odemba said after the match.
“Beldine Odemba is the coach but she did not qualify, Kenya qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026. Kenyans are happy and I am also happy. This is for my country and football fans.”
The tactician credited unity, team spirit, and the determination built over years of waiting as the driving forces behind the team’s success.
“Unity in the team, great spirit and also the time [of waiting]. It has been nine years, so we kept reminding ourselves that it has been nine years, how long can we wait?” she explained.
With qualification secured, the former Kenya Police Bullets coach has called on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Ministry of Sports to ensure the team gets proper preparations ahead of the finals in Morocco next year.
“The girls were really spirited, the technical bench was awesome. We worked together as a team and we thank God because He came through for us as a country,” she said.
"I urge the federation and the Ministry of Sports to please allow us to have good preparations before we go to WAFCON, because we do not want to go as participants but we want to go and compete.”
The Kenya Women Premier League winner also thanked President William Ruto for his motivation and support, saying it inspired the team to deliver.
“I thank the President of the Republic for the motivation, it meant a lot and it worked,” she noted.
