A Dream of the World Cup
Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has always had a dream — to lead Kenya’s women’s football team to its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup. This aspiration, which has driven her throughout her career, has now become even more tangible after she was honored with the Betika/SJAK Coach of the Month Award for October.
Odemba expressed how this recognition has not only strengthened her resolve but also inspired her entire squad to aim higher. During the presentation ceremony at Nyayo Stadium, she shared her thoughts on the significance of the award. “This award means a lot, especially to women’s football,” she said. “Thanks to SJAK and Betika for this trophy. It has been quite long since we last qualified; this is our second time. I dedicate the qualification to Kenyans — they were truly behind us.”
Her efforts have already paid off, as she led the Starlets to qualify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco. This marked the end of a seven-year absence and was only the second time in the team’s history that they have qualified for the tournament. Odemba sees this achievement as a stepping stone towards World Cup qualification.
“We’ve requested adequate support from the federation and the Ministry of Sports. Our focus is beyond the Wafcon in Morocco,” she explained. “Later this month, we shall have two friendly matches with Gambia ahead of the tournament. This will be a perfect platform to build up for the World Cup. We want to achieve better than we did for the U17 World Cup.”
Recognition and Support
Abdullah Ahmed, chairman of the SJAK selection panel, praised Odemba’s achievements, highlighting the high calibre of nominees for the award. “She’s a true champion,” he said. “She brought pride to the country for qualifying for the Wafcon. It wasn’t easy for the selection panel to pick the best among other outstanding entries.”
Odemba received a Sh100,000 cash prize and a trophy for her accomplishments. Other notable nominees included Nicholas Muyoti of Nairobi United, Kelvin Wambua, coach of the Safari Sevens team, and Benjamin Musa, head coach of the national boxing team.
The Road Ahead
With the upcoming friendly matches against Gambia, the Starlets are preparing for the Wafcon and, more importantly, the path toward the World Cup. Odemba is determined to push the team further, ensuring that their performance in Morocco sets the stage for future success.
Her journey has not only been about personal achievement but also about inspiring the next generation of Kenyan female athletes. She believes that with proper support and dedication, the Harambee Starlets can achieve greatness on the global stage.
As the team continues to train and prepare for the challenges ahead, the message from Odemba is clear: the dream of a World Cup appearance is no longer just a distant hope — it is a goal within reach.