Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has expressed confidence in the team’s capacity to crush Botswana in a 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday.
Odemba urged Kenyan fans to throng the Nyayo Stadium stands and rally behind her charges as they tackle the Zebras in the first of the two-legged qualifier.
She hailed the fans for passionately rallying behind the Kenyan women in their past campaign where they surmounted a tough opposition to cruise past Cameroon.
“I appreciate the fans for rallying behind Starlets. It’s a working day, but we ask the fans to come and support the players. We have always relied on the 12th man; even if they don’t play on the pitch, they play a huge role in raising the spirits of the players,” Odemba said.
The experienced gaffer said they have earned more depth following the arrival of foreign-based players over the weekend.
The quartet of Vivian Nasaka, Mwanahalima Adam, Violet Nanjala, and Cynthia Shilwatso joined the camp on Monday.
“We anticipate a fantastic match on Wednesday since we have been practicing well and the professional players are already in camp,” Odemba said.
In a separate statement on Monday, the Football Kenya Federation also urged the fans to fill the stands to the brim.
“FKF has waived gate charges for the match in a bid to rally support towards the Harambee Starlets second-ever women’s Africa Cup of Nations appearance,” the statement read.
“The gates will be open to the public at 10 am. All FKF-affiliated clubs, schools, and youth academies are also invited to the match and shall enjoy a designated sitting area.”
The Botswana contingent, who arrived in Nairobi on Sunday is expected to have a feel of the pitch on Tuesday afternoon.
The return fixture of the final round of the qualifiers has been set for December 5 in Gaborone, Botswana.
The winner of the two-legged encounter will seal a slot at next year’s 12-team Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the 15th edition of the continental showpiece.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has appointed an Egyptian trio to officiate in Wednesday’s encounter.
Shahenda Saad Saad Ali Elmaghrabi will preside over the match as the centre referee with compatriots Yara Atef and May Ali Mahmoud Hassan serving as first and second assistant referees respectively.
Ethiopian Sara Seid Abrar will be the match commissioner with Congolese Geneviéve Kanjinga Lukusa the referee assessor.
