Image: ERICK BARASA
Rising Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba wants her charges to develop a thick skin as they gear up for their Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier return leg match against Angola this Sunday.
After a commanding performance that saw them beat Angola 6-1 at Nyayo Stadium in the second round of qualifiers on Sunday, Odemba emphasized the team's readiness and hunger for more goals.
Speaking after their final training session at Kasarani Annex on Wednesday, Odemba stated: "It is not over until we play the second round despite having won the first leg with a massive six goals. The players are ready and they know we are going for more goals.''
She added: "There is no big lead; We are just leading. We have three points, yes, but anything can happen. Mentally, we are prepared and we know this is a totally new game and we have to win."
She acknowledged the challenges faced in the first leg regarding player documentation but confirmed that those issues have now been resolved, enabling the inclusion of new players in the squad.
''We are going to defend our goals and do the same thing we did at home. Our players are available, we don't have any new injuries and the good thing is more players have gotten documents which was a challenge in the previous le. So there will be changes in the squad. It isn't a case of resting players, it's about giving a chance to those who really wanted to play," she said.
The team draws inspiration from the senior team's victory against Cameroon in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“These girls want something for themselves. They saw what the senior team did in the WAFCON qualifiers and have one more round to play. They are now looking forward to that themselves, and we saw it against Angola,” concluded Odemba.
On the other hand, captain Jane Hato expressed the team's focus on their ultimate goal, the World Cup.
''We are aware our target is World Cup and not beating Angola only. So the way we played against Angola is the way we want to face teams like Cameroon. We are not afraid here at home or even when we are away," said Hato.
Hato added: "We would like to correct mistakes we made in the first game and win with a bigger goal margin."
Forward Charity Midewa echoed the sentiment, expressing her desire to double their lead against Angola. ''We want to double the lead of six to twelve. I felt good scoring against Angola in the first leg and next game away, I will add more goals. I want to improve and get a chance in the senior team,'' she added.