Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba/HANDOUTHarambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba says her dream is to steer Kenya’s women’s football team to its first-ever Fifa Women’s World Cup.
She said winning the Betika/SJAK Coach of the Month Award for October has strengthened her resolve and inspired the squad to aim higher.
“This award means a lot, especially to women’s football,” said Odemba during the presentation ceremony at Nyayo Stadium.
“Thanks, 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.”
Odemba guided the Starlets to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco, ending a seven-year absence and marking only the second qualification in the team’s history.
She believes the Wafcon will be a springboard 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 said.
“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.”
Abdullah Ahmed, chairman of the SJAK selection panel, praised Odemba’s achievements, noting the high calibre of nominees.
“She’s a true champion," she 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,” he said.
Odemba received a Sh100,000 cash prize and a trophy. Other 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.
