Changes loom in Harambee Starlets' coaching unit

While the exact nature of the adjustments remains unclear, sources indicate that the changes could involve either a new head coach or the introduction of a technical director role.

“While the exact changes are uncertain, we expect some adjustments before the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match against Tunisia on Wednesday, as the team is under pressure to win,” a source privy to the matter told Nation Sport.

Reports suggest that former Starlets coach Alex Alumirah has been drafted into the technical staff. Alumirah, who is currently the Sporting Director for Fountain Gate Academy in Tanzania, was set to join the 23-woman squad that departed for Tunisia Monday evening.

However, his exact role in the team remains unknown. Alumirah last served as the Starlets’ head coach in 2022, under the FKF caretaker committee appointed by former Sports CS Amina Mohammed.

He was in charge during the 2022 Wafcon qualifier against Uganda, but Kenya’s suspension by FIFA that year saw the team automatically eliminated, handing Uganda a direct ticket to the tournament.

Current head coach Beldine Odemba has faced heavy criticism following last Friday’s 0-0 draw against Tunisia in the first leg of the first-round qualifier at Ulinzi Sports Complex. Many fans and pundits have questioned her team selection, arguing that it contributed to the lacklustre performance.

In that match, Lilian Awuor started in goal, behind defenders Ruth Ingotsi, Enez Mango, captain Dorcas Shikobe, and debutant Janet Mumo. The midfield trio comprised Corazon Aquino, Fasilah Adhiambo, and Elizabeth Wambui, while Cynthia Shilwatso and Mwanahalima "Dogo" Jereko were deployed in attack.

Notably, Jereko was played out of position, alternating between a left-winger and a striker, despite the absence of a natural No. 9.

Odemba’s first substitution came in the 50th minute, when she introduced striker Elizabeth Mideva for midfielder Adhiambo, pushing Shilwatso into midfield.

The team relied heavily on right-wing crosses from Wambui, but Jereko struggled to convert them. Meanwhile, the left flank remained unused, as natural wingers Janet Moraa Bundi, Emily Morang’a, and Violet Nanjala were left on the bench.

The biggest criticism of Odemba’s lineup came from her decision to exclude some of the top-performing strikers from the starting eleven.

Rebecca Okwaro, the FKF Women’s Premier League (FKF-WPL) leading scorer with 11 goals, was left out, as were Jentrix Shikangwa of Simba Queens (18 goals), Janet Moraa Bundi of Egypt National Bank (14 goals), and Violet Nanjala of Municipal Laayoune in Morocco (10 goals). Furthermore, veteran striker Teresa Engesha of South Korea’s Hyundai Steel Red Angels was not given any playing time.

Odemba also made a double substitution in the final five minutes of added time, raising questions about her tactical decisions.

Despite fielding inexperienced Mideva for 40 minutes, she substituted her late in the game for Shikangwa, who was then forced to play out of position on the left wing. At the same time, Morang’a replaced Wambui, leaving many wondering why Shikangwa wasn’t brought in earlier. The squad remains unchanged for tomorrow’s return leg, which will determine who advances to the final round of qualifiers.

The winner of the tie will face either Niger or Gambia between October 20-28. In their first-leg encounter, Gambia secured a 2-0 win over Niger at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché in Niamey. Their return leg was scheduled to take place at Stade Lat-Dior in Thiès, Senegal on Monday.