Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba opted to dwell on the positives following her team’s performance in the concluded 2025 CECAFA Women’s Senior Championship.

Speaking on Saturday, June 21, 2025, the tactician maintained that her charges will take their lessons after falling at the final hurdle to eventual winners, Tanzania.

Starlets fell to a 1-0 defeat to Tanzania’s Twiga Stars, throwing away the chance to clinch their second regional title.

“It was a good tournament for us and preparations for the team. We have seen where we need to strengthen and where we stand. It has been a good tournament overall. The girls played well to win three out of four games,” Odemba said.

The coach also spoke on the specifics of the final defeat, terming it unfortunate to concede in the manner they did.

She, however, lauded the overall display from the girls.

“We were not supposed to concede such a goal, but it’s football. We are happy we have learned and drawn our lessons, and we know what to do going forward,” she added.

Runners-up

On his part, Tanzania coach Bakari Shime hailed a well-fought win from his girls against a team that beat them in past editions of the championship.

Shime praised Kenyans for bringing the best out of his team, stating that the challenge posed by them was crucial in helping him assess his charges further.

“The game was good; we appreciate the challenge from Kenya, and we thank them for it. We controlled the match and had plenty of chances to score and finally made that one count.

“We lost the Cup here to Kenya last time, and we came prepared. Playing at home has its challenges with the tension levels and also the feeling from the past defeat to Kenya, but we managed to get over it and claim the victory,” he said.

The defeat—Kenya’s first in the tournament—had them finish second on nine points, three behind champions Tanzania, who managed an unbeaten streak in the four games in the tourney played on a round robin format.

Kenya scored 11 goals in the championship, ranking them as the second-best scoring team, after Tanzania, who scored 13 goals.

Uganda’s Crested Cranes wrapped up the podium finish on the same points as Burundi, who finished fourth.

Focus on WAFCON

The Ladies team now shifts focus to the upcoming 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) games.

The Starlets now angle for the decisive face-off against the Gambia women’s team in the final round qualifier of the continental games in October.

Gambia secured their spot after defeating Niger 4-1 on an aggregate win.

Kenya aims to return to the continental stage for the first time since making their debut in 2016, under coach David Ouma.