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Coach Odemba: Future of Kenyan women’s football is bright
Harambee Starlets players Ruth Ingosi, goalkeeper Lillian Awour and Lorine Ilavonga go for an aerial ball with Gambia's Penda Bah during the first leg match of the final round of 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Nyayo National Stadium on October 24, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Kenya beat the Gambia 3-1 on Friday in Nairobi in a first leg match of the final round of 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
- To qualify for 2026 Women’s Afcon, which will be played in Morocco, Kenya must avoid losing by more than two goals on Tuesday.
Kenya women’s football team coach Beldine Odemba is happy with the progress the country has made in the women’s game.
The Harambee Starlets coach reckons the successful integration of young players into the senior team is bearing fruit.
“A lot of things are working for the national team. We have been trying to incorporate younger players in the senior team to secure the future of Kenya women’s football, and it seems to be working,” said Odemba, who is a Caf “A” licensed coach.
Odemba believes Kenya has a bright future and the potential to compete at the highest level of the game.
Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba react on the touchline during the first leg match of the final round of 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Nyayo National Stadium on October 24, 2025.
Harambee Stars are aiming to qualify for the Wafcon for the first time in a decade.
“It’s been nine years since we were in Wafcon, and I feel that we have grown as a country. How far should we wish to grow if it’s not to play on the big stage? This is a motivation to all the players and the technical bench,” Odemba observed.
Odemba spoke on Friday after Kenya’s 3-1 victory over The Gambia in a first leg match of the final round of 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualifiers.
Gambia will host the return leg fixture on Tuesday in Thies, some 72 kilometres to the east of Senegal’s capital city Dakar, because the west African country does not have a stadium that meets Caf’s standards for international matches.
On Friday, Gambia’s captain and striker, Fatuomata Kanteh, scored for her team in the fourth minute of the match.
Experienced players
Strikers Mwahalima Adam, Fasilah Adhiambo and Sheylene Opisa netted a goal each for Kenya in the 12th, 19th minute and during the additional time in the first half.
To qualify for 2026 Women’s Afcon, which will be played in Morocco, Kenya must avoid losing by more than two goals on Tuesday, but Kenya will also secure a place in the tournament with a draw of any kind. Kenya last qualified for the tournament in 2016 when Cameroon hosted it.
Young defenders Lorine Ilavonga (17) and Elizabeth Muteshi (21), along with strikers Opisa (21) and Adhiambo (18), started the match for Kenya and proved instrumental in the win.
Odemba’s starting line-up featured a mix of experienced players and members of Kenya Under-17 team Rising Starlets who joined the side. Lilian Awuor started in goal, shielded by Ilavonga, Muteshi, and captain Ruth Ingosi in defence.
Harambee Starlets players celebrate a goal against the Gambia in a first leg match of the final round of 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Nyayo National Stadium on October 24, 2025.
Kenya’s midfield comprised of Enez Mango, Adam, Lavender Akinyi, and Martha Amnyolete, while Elizabeth Wambui, Opisa, and Adhiambo led the attack.
The substitutes included goalkeeper Annedy Kundu, strikers Airine Madalina, Tumaini Waliaula, midfielders Corazone Aquino and Medina Abubakar, and defenders Vivian Nasaka and Dorcas Shikobe. Madalina, Waliaula, and Aquino were all substituted the second half of the match.
Mercy Akoth (goalkeeper), Leah Andiema (defender), Violet Nanjala, and Catherine Khaemba (strikers), though not in the match day squad, travelled to Senegal with the other 19 players, bringing the travelling squad to 23 in number.
Three players in the current squad - Aquino, Awuor, and Shikobe - played for Kenya under coach David Ouma in 2016 Wafcon.
