Coach Odemba urges President Ruto to bid for 2028 WAFCON hosting rights
By Joel Masibo, July 14, 2026Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has challenged President William Ruto to launch a bid for the 2028 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (2028 WAFCON) hosting rights.
Speaking during the flagging off of both the Harambee Starlets and Junior Starlets for WAFCON 2026 and U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup competitions, respectively, at the State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Odemba said the country is now edging closer to having the required capacity to host an international tournament of WAFCON calibre.
”Mr President, we are hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, there will be another WAFCON in 2028, you have constructed stadiums, the infrastructure is good and we are ready. Bring WAFCON home, I request you,” Odemba said.
The tactician also urged the Head of State to motivate both the Harambee and Junior Starlets players financially and through other available means to keep their spirits high while representing the country in international competitions.
”From the technical bench and everyone, we are asking for affordable houses and good sendoff and a good motivation. We are not only going to play the WAFCON, we are going to play the World Cup qualifiers, if we get to the semi-finals, we qualify for the World Cup automatically, so our request is that you cheer us on with good motivation.” Odemba said.
World Cup and WAFCON assignments
Junior Starlets qualified for their second U-17 World Cup with a 5-1 aggregate against South Africa. The Kenyan girls came from a goal down to edge the Bantwana 3-1 on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Nyayo National Stadium, booking a ticket to the global stage for the second time in history. The tournament will be staged in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, 2026.
For the senior team, Harambee Starlets are placed in Group A of the delayed 2026 WAFCON. The Kenyan will play against hosts Morocco, Algeria and Senegal. The tournament will run from July 25 to August 16, 2026. The team will jet out of the country on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 for a pre-tournament camp in Miramas, France, before taking Morocco in the opening fixture.
Government support
In his remarks, the head of said that the state is proud of both Harambee and Junior Starlets’ achievements.
”Their success reflects deliberate investment in youth, talent development and sports. More than 10,000 young athletes are enrolled in structured development programmes through our schools, county governments and the Kenya Academy of Sports,” Ruto said.
”More than 6,000 coaches, trainers, physiotherapists and sports administrators have also undergone specialised training. Talanta Sports City is now 95 per cent complete, while 32 modern stadia are under construction across the country. In the last financial year, the Government invested KSh4.5 billion to support our national teams with accommodation, kits, allowances and logistics. We will also ensure our national team players benefit from Social Health Authority cover and the Affordable Housing Programme,” the Head of State added.
On his part, the Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed said: ”Women’s football is on the rise, this was evident on Sunday when the Junior Starlets played South Africa at Nyayo Stadium before a record crowd, the largest attendance ever for a women’s match in Kenya. We will continue to put in structures and systems in place to enhance the value and visibility of women’s football.”
”For too long, sports was not treated as a national priority. This administration, under H.E. President William Ruto, is the first to invest substantial resources in sports development. With over 30 sports facilities currently under construction across the country, we have renewed hope for millions of young Kenyans. As a Federation, we appreciate the government’s commitment.” He added.
Mohammed said the federation’s role now is to get the software right, to use the facilities to commercialise football, grow the game, and ensure the players are properly remunerated and taken care of.