Kenya’s women’s national football team head coach Beldine Odemba has urged her players to sharpen their finishing skills, despite their impressive 2-0 triumph over India during a 2026 FIFA Series match at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
The Harambee Starlets secured victory by scoring once in each half, showcasing their talent in the bright Nairobi sun. Goals came from Martha Amunyolet and Terry Engesha in a lively match.
In earlier action, the Malawi Scorchers faced a tough introduction to the tournament, suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Australia, who quickly seized the advantage with an early goal in the sixth minute, taking Malawi’s defence by surprise with a swift offensive move.
The tournament is set to wrap up on Wednesday, April 15th, with the third-place playoff kicking off at 2.00 pm, followed by the final at 6.00 pm to crown the inaugural FIFA Women’s Series champion.
Kenya will clash with Australia in the playoff for third place, while Malawi will take on India. Odemba has called on her squad to increase their goal tally against Australia, currently the top-ranked team, sitting at 15th in the world.
‘Kenya could have scored more goals’
“We understood their strengths; they aimed to control the midfield and then make runs with the ball,” Odemba explained.
“The players followed the game plan well, and while we could have netted more goals—especially in the first half—as a coach, there are always areas for improvement.”
When asked how Kenya managed to dominate India, Odemba noted: “In women’s football, the pace of the game can change based on the opponent. If India had been sharper, perhaps our girls would have responded in kind.”
“It was about reading the game and determining what would benefit us, particularly after securing a goal. We did become a bit complacent.”
“We definitely hoped for more goals, and for the girls to play to their fullest potential, but we have another match on Wednesday.”
Looking ahead to the fixture against Australia, Odemba commented: “We were aware we needed to be ready for Thursday’s match, which is why we rotated some players.
“It was unfortunate that Ruth (Ingosti) got injured, but I know she watched the game and saw that Nora (Anne) is more than capable. We have prepared all 24 players in our camp, and everyone is primed for the challenge against Australia.”
This tournament also serves as a crucial component of the Harambee Starlets’ preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled to take place in Morocco from July 25th to August 16th.
“These friendly matches are vital for us to integrate and develop our players,” Odemba remarked. “By the time we reach WAFCON, we are hoping the team will have solidified and be fully prepared.”
“There won’t be time to figure out who fits in where at that point, but we will have players ready for the competition.”
Kenya’s Group A at WAFCON
By hosting the FIFA Women’s Series, Kenya is taking the opportunity to bolster various facets of football development beyond merely the matches.
The tournament will enhance aspects such as event management, operational strategies, and officiating, providing invaluable experience in the execution of international competitions.
Kenya has been drawn into Group A for WAFCON, alongside Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria, which promises to be a fiercely competitive group.
The Starlets secured their WAFCON qualification through an impressive two-legged victory over Gambia, winning 3-1 in the first leg and following up with a 1-0 win in the second leg.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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