Beldine Odemba has come under scrutiny for her team selection after Harambee Starlets’ goalless draw against Tunisia, raising tactical concerns.
Friday is a day that many Kenyan football fans had circled on their calendars, hopeful that Harambee Starlets would make a strong statement in their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
However, after a goalless draw against Tunisia at Ulinzi Sports Complex, questions have emerged regarding coach Beldine Odemba’s squad selection and tactical choices.
With the return leg set for Wednesday in Sousse, Tunisia, the Starlets now face an uphill task in securing qualification.
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Odemba’s lineup raised eyebrows even before kickoff, with several key players left on the bench. The absence of a natural striker in the starting eleven was particularly puzzling, forcing Mwanahalima “Dogo” Jereko to play out of position as both a left winger and a makeshift forward as per analysis by Nation.
This decision had a visible impact on Kenya’s attacking play, as the team struggled to convert opportunities despite creating several chances, particularly from the right flank.
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The left side of the attack was underutilized, even though Odemba had options like Janet Moraa Bundi, Emily Morang’a, and Violet Nanjala available.
The midfield trio of Corazon Aquino, Fasilah Adhiambo, and Elizabeth Wambui worked hard to control possession, but with Shilwatso pushed forward, there was a disconnect between midfield and attack.
When Odemba finally introduced striker Elizabeth Mideva in the second stanza the shift did not produce the desired effect. Instead of bringing in an experienced goal scorer earlier, she kept the proven talents of Jentrix Shikangwa, Janet Moraa Bundi, and Violet Nanjala on the bench for much of the match.
The late introduction of Shikangwa, with only a few minutes left in added time, left many questioning the rationale behind Odemba’s substitutions.
Harambee Starlets had the opportunity to take control of the tie at home, yet they failed to do so, and some of that responsibility falls on the coach’s tactical approach.
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Kenya needed goals, yet Odemba did not start local league’s top scorer Rebecca Okwaro, who has netted 11 goals this season, or Simba Queens’ lethal striker Shikangwa, who boasts 18 goals. Even South Korea-based veteran forward Teresa Engesha was left on the bench without being given a single minute of play.
In defense, the exclusion of experienced defenders Leila Apiyo, who plays in Greece, and Wincate Kaari of Simba Queens was another surprising decision.
While the backline managed to keep a clean sheet, the team’s inability to capitalize on attacking opportunities made the game feel like a wasted chance.
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Odemba’s decision-making during substitutions only added to the frustrations of fans and analysts alike.
Bringing in a double substitution in the dying minutes, with Shikangwa forced to play out of position, seemed more like a desperate reaction than a well-thought-out strategy.
Despite the setbacks, Odemba remained confident post-match, insisting that the team followed the game plan and created chances that they simply failed to convert.
Aquino echoed similar sentiments, pointing to what she believed was biased officiating in favor of Tunisia. While those factors may have played a role, the reality is that the team selection and tactical choices put Kenya in a more difficult position than necessary.
Now, with the Starlets traveling to Tunisia on Monday, the focus shifts to the return leg. Odemba and her technical bench must reassess their approach and ensure that the strongest lineup is fielded.
The team needs to be more clinical in front of goal, and that will require playing proven goal scorers from the start.
With 90 minutes left to turn things around, the Starlets still have a fighting chance, but they cannot afford another miscalculated selection. The question remains—will Odemba make the right choices this time?
