We will give it a good go: Odemba maintains belief in Starlets' trip to Cameroon

Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba, in response to a question on whether her assembled team would take any inspiration from Kenya’s Volleyball team Malkia Strikers in as far as beating and overcoming West African giants Cameroon, gave a rather confident answer.

“I wish some years down the line they [Malkia Strikers] will be the ones emulating us,” Odemba, a first time women’s national football team head coach said on Monday afternoon. “They are a completely different side in a different discipline and don’t affect what we want to achieve.”

The question was in response to Kenya’s volleyball side win over rivals Cameroon in the women’s African Nations Championships in August this year, coming at a time when Kenya women's team visits Cameroon, a team ranked 56th in the FIFA rankings, for the first leg of the 2024 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers.

“Our training has been great, we feel ready,” the CAF B license holder said. “The last batch of our players jetted in today and the ones who have been here have gelled so well.”

As per the coach, the duo of Mwanalima Adam and Vivian Nasaka joined the team on Monday morning, with defender Enez Mango expected to arrive later in the day but in time for the team’s evening training session.

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On the team preparations that involved a friendly win over Kenya Bullets FC, Odemba said: “It was a good test match that enabled us to point out some few tactical mistakes that we had in our team. Am glad the match fitness was up to the required levels, but that’s what camp is all about.”

Only one player; Marjolene Nekesa of SK Slavia Praha will miss the trip, having sustained an injury a little over two weeks ago that ruled her out of the match upon MRI evaluation.

“I have utmost belief in my players,” Odemba said when asked if there was sustainable pressure from playing Cameroon. “I have always looked at my team and not the opponent. We have the experience needed that gives us a good edge. We will give it a good go.”

The team is expected to depart for Cameroon on Tuesday, play Cameroon on Friday, and then travel back for the return leg set to be played on Tuesday next week.