From villain to hero: Starlets coach Odemba in cloud nine after historic win in Tunisia

From hate to sudden love; that is the strange short five days Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has gone through. To see her pain and doubt transformed to joy and relief was something to behold.

This is because Starlets are now one step closer to qualifying for the 2026 WAFCON (Women Africa Cup of Nations) after their 1-0 aggregate win over Carthage Eagles Femini of Tunisia.

It was against all odds when Starlets became the first Kenyan team in 19 years to win a match in the Maghreb (North Africa), which was an added another feather in Odemba’s, who faced intense criticism after the 0-0 draw at home.

Questions still linger if the 41-year-old is the right bet for the job with the national team long term as rumours abound that she could be replaced over recent inconsistent performances.

Last Friday’s goalless tie at home in the first round qualifiers against Tunisia not only exposed her frailties, but opened a can of worms with many fans openly questioning her system of play. However, analysts believe that her job could be safe once she gets through the next hurdle.

Barely two years ago, Odemba, Kenya’s most qualified woman football coach with a CAF A license, held four active jobs with her hands full. She was head coach of former Kenya Women Premier League giants Kenya Police Bullets FC, Harambee Starlets, Rising Starlets and Highway Secondary School. Even with all these accolades, there are people who still feel she does not fit the profile and needs to go.

The coach, who spoke to the press early today at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), was, however, elated and held her nerve steering clear of the recent firestorm.

“We had a good plan and this win is for the country. This is the fight we needed and we gave it our all. The president (Hussein Mohammed) met us and assured us of support so that was great. Most importantly, there are Kenyans who believed in us. We will prepare well because we have two FIFA windows in April and June so we will use them well for preparations. Otherwise, now it is time to think of Gambia. We will work on that mission in order to qualify for the WAFCON,” she stated.

Former Harambee Stars head coach James Nandwa has come to the defence of Odemba, saying all coaches take risks and sometimes it backfires.

“One mistake does not define you or make you a bad trainer. She know her team’s capabilities and she understands why she utilised certain players. It did not work in Nairobi but certain tweaks ensured we got all three points away. This job of ours is difficult and more so since everybody is a coach and know it all.”

He added: “It is not wrong to criticise because coaches also make mistakes but I would just encourage Coach Odemba who has done well to be proud of herself. She need support from the Federation and now is the time for consistency. She needs time and opportunity to grow with the players. Remember, football is a moment’s game and some players are suited for some games but at times, it is also about taking chances. I am sure she can only get better and excel with the Starlets,” he said.

Odemba who was appointed in September 2023 as Harambee Starlets coach might be walking on ice, but even for her, patience is a foreign term in managing expectations!