'We need more of this'- Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba yarning for more high-profile friendlies

women national team Harambee Starlets head coach, Beldine Odemba, has praised her team’s stellar performance in a friendly match against Morocco, describing it as a vital step in building the squad for future competitions

Starlets secured an emphatic 5-0 victory against the North African nation on Tuesday, showcasing their growing strength and cohesion

Fasila Adhiambo opened the scoring for the Starlets, followed by a brilliant brace from Mwanalima Dogo that gave Kenya a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime. Violet Nanjala and Elizabeth Mideva sealed the rout with second-half goals, capping off a dominant display by the Kenyan side

Speaking after the match, emphasized the importance of such high-quality friendlies in shaping the team

Some of the players who have been part of the squad in previous matches are missing as Odemba reshapes Starlets.

“The friendlies have been good for us. We drew the first one, but we are building. We are building because we are currently not in any competition, so we have more time to test combinations with the girls that will work for future competitions,” she said via

commended her players’ efforts, highlighting the competitive edge they bring from their clubs.

“I commend the girls for how they carried themselves. They pushed themselves and gave us a very good result, which is a big positive. Players like Beverlyn and Chesang, who are in the top scorer charts in the Kenya Women Premier League, bring that competition into the squad, which is an added advantage for the team.”

Reflecting on the team’s participation in international tournaments like the Pink Ladies Tournament in Turkey, Odemba acknowledged the valuable lessons learned, even in defeat

Odemba became just the second woman to take charge of an FKF Premier League side on Friday.

“Sometimes we lose, but we learn and make sure that in the next matches, we improve. I appreciate the windows we are getting because you can see the growth. The more we play together, the more we gel,” she noted.

With the Starlets not currently engaged in any major competitions, Odemba believes these friendly matches are crucial for maintaining momentum and refining strategies