‘Ghost’ Mulee backs Odemba after Harambee Starlets' WAFCON struggles

Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee has defended Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba, urging Kenyans to look beyond the team’s disappointing 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in Morocco.

Mulee says Kenya’s return to the continental showpiece after a 10-year absence should be viewed as part of the rebuilding process rather than judged solely on the team’s early exit.

“We have been out of this tournament for ten good years; everybody criticizes yet this is one of the toughest jobs. The coach has a plan and knows what is best for the team so we cannot blame her for the poor run,” averred Mulee.

We must also note the step our women football has made in the international stage by qualifying for the tournament and not only looking for mistakes,” he added.

He says competing at WAFCON has given the players valuable exposure and experience against some of Africa’s best teams.

“Playing at a bigger stage like WAFCON is something that motivates the players and makes them believe that they can also do it because they gain vast experiences from other players and learn new tactics too.”

Mulee also pointed to the Junior Starlets’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, saying the progress shows Kenya’s women’s football is moving in the right direction.

“We must ask ourselves what step our women football has made in terms of its development. I am also happy for the Under-17 ladies for the qualification to the World Cup and that is a sign of doing even better in the future. There is something that women football in Kenya has that needs to be discussed so that we move to the next level,” he added.

His defense of Odemba comes as her position faces scrutiny, with the FKF technical committee expected to review her performance following the Starlets’ winless WAFCON campaign.