Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba's selection has drawn widespread criticism with many followers of the game blaming her choice of players for the lacklustre 0-0 draw to Tunisia in their 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualifiers first leg, first round on Friday at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
The return leg is on Wednesday at Sousse Olympic Stadium in Sousse, Tunisia from 2pm (Kenya time).
The Starlets leave for Tunisia Monday, faced with a job they would have made easier with a home win on Friday.
The midfield comprised Corazon Aquino, Fasilah Adhiambo, and Elizabeth Wambui, with Cynthia Shilwatso and Mwanahalima "Dogo" Jereko, who played out of position.
Kenya's Cynthia Shilwatso (right) vies for an aerial ball with Rania Aquina of Tunisia during a 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification match at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on February 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
The first substitution by Odemba came in the 50th minute when striker Elizabeth Mideva was brought in for midfielder Adhiambo. Shilwatso was subsequently pushed to midfield behind Mideva.
The flank relied on right-wing crosses from Wambui, but Jereko could not complete them. The left wing was not utilized, as wingers Janet Moraa Bundi, Emily Morang'a, and Violet Nanjala were left on the bench.
Odemba remarked post-match, "Our strength was on the flanks. We played well and created chances we failed to capitalize on."
The results called into question Odemba's excluding top strikers, Football Kenya Federation (FKF-WPL) leading scorer Rebecca Okwaro (11 goals), Tanzania’s Simba Queens Jentrix Shikangwa (18 goals) , Janet Moraa Bundi (14 goals for Egypt National Bank), and Violet Nanjala (10 goals for Municipal Laayan of Morocco) from the starting lineup.
Kenya's Corazon Aquino (right) goes for a high ball against Chaima Alabbassi of Tunisia during during a 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification match at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on February 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Veteran striker Teresa Engesha (Hyundai Steel Red Angels, South Korea) was also not given any playing time .
Shikangwa was then forced to play out position on the left wing as Morang'a also substituted Wambui. Odemba conceded the challenges of substitutions.
"Mideva's substitution didn't work, which can happen. We brought in a striker who has been scoring in training, but frequent substitutions can affect a player's mindset but she needs to understand that sometimes it happens."
Why did Odemba exclude defenders Leila Apiyo of Greece's Sirines of Grevena and Wincate Kaari of Tanzania's Simba Queens?
Rania Aquina of Tunisia (left) fights for the ball with Kenya's Mwanahalima Adams during a 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification match at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on February 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
“We played according to plan, but we need to analyse what worked and what failed. I have watched Tunisia play at home and we are better than them,' said the CAF A licensed coach.
Aquino said: "We were physically stronger, but the referee favoured them. Every time we tackled, they would go down, and as always, the referee made the final decision. We have 90 minutes left to turn things round."
