Odemba urges Kenyans to back Harambee Starlets ahead of delayed WAFCON
By Joel Masibo, June 2, 2026Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has appealed to football fans across the country to throw their support behind the national women’s team as preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) intensify.
Speaking after an open training session held at Kasarani Stadium Annex on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Odemba emphasised the importance of positive encouragement from supporters, noting that it can significantly boost the players’ morale as they prepare for the continental showpiece.
Harambee Starlets are also preparing for an invitational competition where Kenya will open its campaign against Zambia on June 6, 2026, at 4:00 pm EAT at the Four Nations Tournament in Zambia.
The tournament’s opening fixture will see Lesotho take on Zimbabwe at 1:30 pm EAT on the same day.
The third-place playoff and the final will be played on June 6, 2026.
Rallying for support
“We hope that fans can support the girls positively. Many of them are professional players, but sometimes they lack the mental strength to handle what is being said about them, and that becomes difficult for us as a technical bench,” Odemba stated.
The tactician explained that building a competitive national team involves much more than training on the field. She revealed that the technical staff have been investing considerable effort in maintaining communication with players based overseas to ensure the entire squad remains aligned with the team’s objectives.
“It’s a lot of work – on and off the pitch – there is a lot of communication with players outside the country, and we are constantly working to ensure everyone is on the same page,” she said.
However, the team’s preparations have encountered a setback due to the delayed arrival of some key squad members. Defender Enez Mango and goalkeeper Lillian Awuor have yet to report to camp as they continue processing travel documentation, leaving uncertainty over when they will join the rest of the squad.
Odemba noted that the coaching staff remain in regular contact with the duo while monitoring developments regarding their travel arrangements.
She further credited recent friendly matches and off-field engagement activities for helping improve team cohesion. The Starlets recently undertook a tour that featured community outreach initiatives in the Western and Nyanza regions, activities that the coach believes have strengthened relationships within the squad.
“Playing friendlies has helped us improve. It helps the players see what they need to work on, both technically and psychologically, and it helps us identify the gaps that still need attention,” she added.
Preparations
Starlets vice-captain Fasila Adhiambo also called on Kenyans to stand behind the team as they continue preparations for the tournament in Morocco.
“The preparations have been good, and the girls just need support so that we can be ready for WAFCON,” Adhiambo said.
The midfielder acknowledged the difficulties that many women footballers encounter in pursuing their careers and urged supporters to continue believing in the team.
“It was not easy getting the opportunity to play at this level, and I urge people to support us. We will continue working on our weaknesses and improving as a team,” she said.
Adhiambo expressed optimism about the team’s prospects, saying the players are focused on delivering strong performances and competing effectively against the continent’s best sides.
The 2026 WAFCON tournament is scheduled to take place in Morocco from July 25 to August 16, 2026.