Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has dedicated the team’s return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2026 in Morocco to the loyal supporters back at home.

Speaking shortly after Mwanahalima Adam’s all-important goal in the 56th minute in the second leg of the last phase of the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers at the Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal, that sent the Kenyan girls through at the expense of The Gambia after nine years of no show, Odemba said the win was for the country and the fans at large.

Harambee Starlets put up a spirited fight to emerge winners of both legs of the last phase of the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers with a 4-1 aggregate on Tuesday night, October 28, 2025, after the team had beaten The Gambia 3-1 in their reverse fixture played at the Nyayo Stadium on Friday, October 24, 2025.

National pride

”It is not about me; it is about the country. The country has qualified after nine good years. Beldine Odemba, coach… But Odemba did not qualify. Kenya qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, and I am sure that the country is happy. I am also happy as a patriot of the country,” Odemba said.

Beldine Odemba also asked the federation to keep supporting the team as they embark on immediate preparation for the tournament in Morocco, where they last took part in 2016.

”This is for my country and football fans back at home. Unity in the team, great spirit – we kept on reminding ourselves that it has been nine years. How long can we wait…? So the girls were really spirited, the technical bench was awesome, and we worked together as a team. I would urge the federation to help us prepare well for the tournament. We do not want to go as participants; we want to go and compete,” Odemba added.

Govt support

Meanwhile, the Football Kenya Federation President, Hussein Mohammed, has linked the success and qualification of Harambee Starlets for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to support from the national government.

While congratulating the national women’s football team, Mohammed extended his gratitude to President William Ruto, who has pledged to reward the team handsomely after sealing their return to WAFCON.

”Congratulations to our Harambee Starlets for qualifying for WAFCON 2026! A big thank you to the players and technical bench for this remarkable achievement, to H.E. President William Samoei Ruto and the Government of Kenya for their immense support, and to our passionate fans for always standing with the team,” Mohammed took to X on Tuesday night, October 28, 2025, shortly after Harambee Starlets edged Gambia 1-0 to qualify for the showpiece.