Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has spoken out following her team’s commanding 4-0 victory over South Sudan in the ongoing CECAFA Women’s Championship in Tanzania. The win solidified Starlets’ unbeaten run in the tournament and set the stage for a high-stakes showdown against regional rivals Tanzania.
The Kenyan side made a strong statement from the onset, with Faith Mboya opening the scoring early in the match. Violet Nanjala and Martha Amunyolete each found the net before Elizabeth Ochaka sealed the dominant win. Despite the emphatic scoreline, Odemba remained measured in her assessment, noting that while the victory was encouraging, the focus remains on the bigger task ahead.
“It’s a good win. It’s not a very big win, but it’s good for us so far. We have the maximum points nine out of nine and that’s important,” Odemba commented, highlighting the consistency of the team’s performance throughout the group stage.
Both Kenya and hosts Tanzania have collected nine points from their three matches, making their upcoming clash decisive in determining the group leader. Odemba confirmed that preparations are already underway, and the team is determined to maintain their momentum.
“You know, it’s football. You never know about the results, but we are preparing well. We are preparing for the last match, and we are hoping for the best,” she said, underscoring the importance of staying focused and disciplined ahead of the crucial encounter.
Odemba also took the opportunity to reflect on the broader progress of women’s football in the East African region. She praised the CECAFA tournament for creating a competitive environment that helps nurture and expose new talent.
“The teams have improved very much. You can see there’s good competition in the CECAFA region, and I’m glad that women’s football is growing,” she noted. She also expressed hope that such tournaments become a regular fixture, possibly being held annually to continue driving growth and visibility.
Acknowledging her squad’s effort, Odemba praised the Harambee Starlets’ resilience, especially in the second half of their match against South Sudan. “Not completely, but I thank them. They gave their best, especially in the second half. In the first half, we didn’t have so much energy, but in the second half, they showed up.”
Despite their unbeaten run, Odemba remains grounded and focused, emphasizing the need for sustained preparation and improvement as they aim to topple Tanzania and make a serious statement in the region’s women’s football landscape.
