WAFCON Qualifiers: Purring Odemba tips Starlets to seize first-leg advantage

Harambee Starlets tactician Beldine Odemba is upbeat about good tidings for her side as they prepare to take on Tunisia in the first leg of the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) slated for Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Langata.

Speaking in a Monday match session at the Absa Ground in Nairobi, Odemba understands that Tunisia is a very tough side to overcome, considering their experience in FIFA windows and other major competition.

“Tunisia is one of the toughest teams we have in the qualifiers, but we will do our best to ensure we win in the first leg.

“We are glad we will play at home in the first leg, giving us confidence.

“We are hereby urging our fans to come and support the girls to boost their morale.”

By Monday, 30 of 36 provisional squad members had reported to camp, with the remaining six expected by Wednesday.

The 36 players are already in camp consist of 10 foreign-based and six from Tanzania.

Vivian Nasaka will be the final player from Turkey to arrive in the camp.

According to Odemba, they have lined up one more friendly match before the due date.

“The team has played two solid, friendly matches already, which allowed the coaching staff to gauge the player.

“For now, I can’t talk more on injuries. We have some, but I believe the affected players will be fine.”

Lethal forward Mwanahalima Adam Jereko, who plies her trade in the USA women's flight league with Kansas City, is expected to arrive later on Tuesday alongside Violet Nanjala Wanyoyi (Municipal De Layooune, Morocco)

Kenya is looking to qualify for the continental showpiece, having last participated in 2016, when it was held in Yaoundé and Limbe cities in Cameroon, where they were eliminated early in group stages.

They narrowly missed qualification in 2023, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Botswana in the second round, which led to the postponement of the 2024 extravaganza in Morocco in July.

Their competitors, Tunisia, in their part, have qualified for the WAFCON twice, the last time being in 2022.