“We Want to Reach the Semi-Finals,” Says Odemba as Starlets Eye WAFCON 2026

Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has set ambitious goals for Kenya as the national women’s team prepares for its return to the African Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2026. The tournament, scheduled from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco, marks the Starlets’ second appearance after their 2016 debut in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Odemba is determined to build on past lessons and guide the team deep into the competition.

Odemba highlighted the importance of preparation, recalling Kenya’s early exit in 2016. “In previous tournaments, we were often caught off-guard due to limited preparation. This time, we want to start early to avoid an early exit,” she said. “Good preparation will be key to our success, and our target is to reach the semi-finals.” She emphasized that early planning and structured training will be critical to achieving these objectives.

The tactician expressed optimism about support from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Ministry of Sports, which she hopes will organize high-quality international friendlies to sharpen the squad. “We are not resting. We plan to meet both FKF and the Ministry of Sports to chart the way forward for WAFCON. His Excellency President Ruto also promised to meet us and we are eagerly looking forward to that,” she added.

Odemba also addressed the challenge of assembling a competitive squad, particularly tracking players’ form abroad. “Assembling the team is one of the toughest tasks because it’s hard to monitor players’ performances in their clubs, more so those playing outside the country,” she explained. “I often rely on online updates about them but things can look different once we are in camp. Early preparations will help us overcome that challenge.”

Kenya booked its WAFCON spot after a spirited qualification campaign. The Starlets edged Tunisia with a 1–0 away win following a draw in Nairobi, with goalkeeper Lilian Awuor saving two crucial penalties. The team then brushed aside The Gambia 4–1 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.

With early planning, government backing, and renewed belief, Odemba hopes this generation of Starlets can make history. Her focus remains on building a well-prepared, resilient team capable of competing with Africa’s best and advancing further than ever before in the continental tournament.