The world of Kenyan football has been thrown into a whirlwind after Beldine Odemba’s resignation as Harambee Starlets coach, barely a week before a major regional showdown. For a nation harboring growing hopes for its women’s team, this abrupt exit is not just a headline – it is a story of passion, grit, and the persistent battles fought off the pitch as much as on it.
The dawn and rise of Odemba’s tenure
When Beldine Odemba was appointed head coach of the Harambee Starlets in September 2023, it marked a new chapter for Kenya’s women’s national side. Odemba, a CAF-A licensed tactician and head coach of Kenya Police Bullets, came in with big ambitions, succeeding Godfrey Oduor during a period when Kenyan women’s football was reaching for new heights.
Among her high points was leading the Starlets to a stunning victory over Cameroon in the 2024 Wafcon qualifiers at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium. That penalty shootout win not only sent Kenyans into jubilation but also ended Cameroon’s long-standing dominance in continental qualifiers, marking their first absence from the tournament since 1991. That moment became a reference point, a declaration that Kenya had arrived as a force. Yet, as sports often reminds us, every dawn comes with its share of clouds.
The storm before the CECAFA tournament
Just days ahead of the CECAFA Senior Women’s Challenge Cup in Dar es Salaam, reports emerged of Odemba’s resignation. The timing, as Kenya was set to face Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan and hosts Tanzania, could not be more precarious. Internal sources revealed that after a demoralizing 5-1 defeat to Morocco in Tangier during a closed-door friendly, Odemba called it quits. There were whispers of frustration: inadequate support and delayed player payments had been an issue, casting shadows over the team’s preparations and morale.
According to multiple sources, while the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) denied any official communication about her departure, insiders confirmed the coach had indeed tended her resignation letter. The federation’s own communications director, as well as general secretary Harold Ndege, were both quick to cite a lack of formal notification, emphasizing the uncertainty and lack of clarity enveloping the situation.
| CASINO | BONUS | INFO | RATING | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
bonus
Welcome gifts up to KSH 550 await you!
See 2 Bonuses
|
info
BK 0000672 PG 0000412 Mobile-friendly |
|
||
|
bonus
Bonus on 1st deposit: Free Bet up to 10,000 KES
See 3 Bonuses
|
info
BCLB 0000794 Licensed betting platform with a variety of bonuses and high odds |
|
||
|
bonus
Start your week with a surprise cashback bonus every Monday!
See 3 Bonuses
|
info
BK 0000696 PG 0000392 Fast cashouts |
|
||
|
bonus
Earn points for cash rewards on popular games!
See 7 Bonuses
|
info
BK 0000689 PG 0000414 Amazing Android app, sleek and user-friendly site, and over 1000 casino games |
|
The human side—the cost of uncertainty
No one feels this uncertainty more deeply than the players, coaching staff, and fans. For the athletes, issues such as delayed allowances and managerial limbo don’t just affect match day performance—they eat into daily motivation and team unity. A source close to the technical bench noted that the heavy defeat to Morocco was less about strategy and more about morale, directly tied to funding challenges and the accompanying sense of neglect.
In sports, momentum and belief are intangible assets. The Starlets, after nearly making it to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with such a narrow aggregate loss to Botswana, are in the midst of another qualifying campaign—set to face The Gambia in October with a spot in next year’s tournament at stake. The shockwaves of Odemba’s exit could impact not just tactics but, more importantly, belief within the squad.
Who steps in and what lies ahead?
The process of appointing a new coach had barely begun before rumors of Odemba’s resignation surfaced. Names like Junior Starlets assistant coach David Bujego and Mathare United Women’s head Ann Aluoch have been mentioned as potential candidates, with ex-coach Alex Alumirah tipped for an assistant role. Yet as of now, even Bujego stated he had not been formally approached and had only heard rumors like everyone else.
Continuity is desperately needed—so some members of the existing technical bench will stay on, focusing on established player relationships and smoothing what could be a bumpy transition. Still, the absence of certainty puts extra pressure on all involved as the CECAFA tournament opener against Burundi looms large on June 14.
Broader implications for Kenyan women’s football
Odemba’s two-year journey at the helm, marked by both remarkable highs and painful setbacks, has shone a light on both the promise and the perils facing women’s football in Kenya. Her exit is not simply about one individual—it reflects structural issues that continue to undermine growth. From delayed payments to questions about federation support, these challenges must be confronted if the Starlets’ potential is to be realized on a sustained basis.
For passionate fans and stakeholders, the task is twofold—here’s the first point, to rally behind the players and coaching staff as they represent the nation under challenging circumstances, this is the second point, to demand accountability and reform from the federation to ensure that such disruptions become rare exceptions, and the last point ends with a renewed focus on building lasting foundations for Kenyan women’s football.
A call for answers—and for hope
As the Starlets regroup and return to camp ahead of CECAFA, their narrative—full of resilience, grit, and dreams—continues to inspire. Beldine Odemba’s impact will not be forgotten, but her abrupt resignation underscores the urgent need for stability and support. The days to come will test not just the resolve of the players, but of everyone invested in the growth of women’s football in Kenya.
For now, the question on every supporter’s lips is clear: who will guide this talented group through the tournament and into the next phase of its evolution? As ever, hope remains the strongest currency in the beautiful game—and the world will be watching as the next chapter unfolds.
