Odemba defends Harambee Starlets prestige amidst  journalist's doubts about WAFCON significance

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Odemba defends Harambee Starlets prestige amidst journalist's doubts about WAFCON significance

Mark Kinyanjui 15:30 - 22.09.2023

The journalist questioned why Harambee Starlets had never appeared at an Olympic tournament or at a World Cup.

Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has hit back at a journalist who questioned why Kenya have allegedly never made it at a major international competition despite their appearance at the 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON).

Facing the Cameronian press before Harambee Starlets’ crunch match against The Indomitable Lionesses in the first leg of their AWCON qualifier on Friday night, Odemba was asked by a journalist why Harambee Starlets had apparently never made it at an international competition before.

The journalist questioned why Harambee Starlets had never appeared at an Olympic tournament or at a World Cup, which prompted Odemba into questioning whether the WACON was a major tournament.

“Are you saying that the WACON is not a major tournament?” Odemba asked, clearly infuriated as the journalist seemed not to be aware that Kenya participated in the 2016 AWCON.

The fast-rising tactician however, was quick to insist that from her perspective, nothing was missing and that they were working hard to pick up experiences and qualify for their second competition.

“I would not say anything is lacking. We are working hard and picking experiences each and every day,” Odemba said.

“We have participated in at least one WAFCON. We are putting our heads high to participate in the second one and from there we are building our experience and making sure we qualify for major competition.”

The stakes are high in this two-legged qualifier, as the aggregate winners will move on to the second round, scheduled between November 27 and December 5, 2023. 

If Harambee Starlets emerge victorious in this stage, they will secure automatic qualification for the prestigious 2024 Africa Women's Cup of Nations, set to be hosted in Morocco.

The journey to this pivotal moment for Harambee Starlets began on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, when they departed for Cameroon.

They are determined to give their all in the first leg match and will fly back home on Sunday, September 24, 2023, just in time for their second leg clash on September 26, 2023.

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