Beldine Odemba Named SJAK Coach of the Month After Starlets’ WAFCON Qualification

Beldine Odemba, head coach of Kenya’s women’s national football team, has been named SJAK Coach of the Month for October 2025. The award comes after she guided the Harambee Starlets to qualify for the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON). This marks only the second time Kenya has reached the tournament since 2016.

The Starlets’ qualification journey showed resilience and determination. They defeated Gambia 4-1 on aggregate. The second leg in Nairobi ended 3-1. Earlier, they edged Tunisia 1-0 away after a draw in Nairobi. Goalkeeper Lilian Awuor saved two penalties and kept Kenya’s dream alive. Odemba’s strategy and leadership were key to the team’s success, just two years into her tenure.

The 2026 WAFCON will run from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco. It will feature 16 teams, up from 12. The champions will earn a record $1 million prize.

Odemba was unanimously voted by the SJAK panel. She beat a strong field that included Kevin “Bling” Wambua (Shujaa rugby), Musa Benjamin (boxing), Nicholas Muyoti (Nairobi United FC), Meshack Senge (women’s hockey), Simon Odongo (Lionesses Rugby), and Camilla Lydya (triathlon). Panel Chairman Abuller Ahmed praised her leadership and commitment.

Odemba expressed gratitude for the award. “We’ve waited for this moment for a long time. The girls showed heart and focus every step. We believed in our goal – to bring Kenya back to the WAFCON stage,” she said.

Her success has inspired the next generation of Kenyan women footballers. It also raises the country’s profile on the African stage. The focus now shifts to Morocco, where the Starlets aim to compete fiercely and leave their mark.