Odemba delighted as Starlets end Zambia tourney on high

Starlets signed off the tournament in style, securing a podium finish with a commanding 6-0 victory over Lesotho in the third-place play-off at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Lusaka.

The Starlets bounced back strongly from their opening-match heartbreak against hosts Zambia, where they suffered a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat, by producing a dominant display against Lesotho. They struck four times in the first half to put the contest beyond reach and underline their attacking quality.

The victory ensured the Starlets returned home with the tournament's bronze medal and a significant psychological boost ahead of future international assignments, including the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Odemba attributed the team's success to the players' discipline and commitment to instructions.

"What worked for me, as usual, was that the players followed instructions and played very well. I congratulate them for that," said Odemba.

"The players wanted a win, and it is good that we have come away with something. Even though we were playing Lesotho, we did not underrate them. They came at us strongly, but my girls delivered and gave me the best birthday gift."

The coach expressed confidence in the team's readiness for upcoming continental and international competitions.

"I feel the team is ready for WAFCON and other international assignments. We have worked on our finishing, and there has been a lot of improvement compared to the FIFA tournament we hosted in Kenya," she added.

Odemba's sentiments were echoed by HB Køge forward Mwanahalima Adam Jereko, who praised the team's performance and highlighted the lessons learned from the tournament.

"It was a great tournament, and finishing with a win was a good feeling. There were a few mistakes, but it is up to the technical bench to address them," said Jereko.

"We have learned a lot from this tournament, especially after the penalty loss to Zambia. Ahead of WAFCON, we believe we can achieve great things."

The tournament formed a key part of the Starlets' preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from July 26 to August 16.

Kenya has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal and Algeria as they prepare for their long-awaited return to the continental showpiece.

The Starlets will be making their second appearance at WAFCON and their first since 2016, ending a decade-long absence from Africa's premier women's football competition.