Harambee Starlets' Wafcon Campaign: An Overview
The Harambee Starlets faced a tumultuous Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) campaign, concluding with three matches played, zero wins, seven goals conceded, and not a single goal scored. These statistics only scratch the surface of the difficulties plaguing the team, which have left Kenyan football enthusiasts grappling with a hard question: Were the Starlets fundamentally outmatched by Africa's top teams, or were they destined for failure due to a lack of preparation even before they set foot on Moroccan soil?
Head coach Beldine Odemba has pointed out the critical lessons learned regarding preparation, tactics, and the necessity for international exposure. In contrast, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed emphasized that rebuilding a competitive national team requires years of consistent investment. However, Kerubo Momanyi, the Women's Representative on the FKF’s National Executive Council, argues that the Starlets never received the essential technical preparation needed to compete effectively. She criticizes the federation for prioritizing logistics over genuine football development, suggesting that the team's shortcomings were apparent long before the tournament commenced.
Critical Analysis of Preparation and Performance
Momanyi highlighted the inadequacies of the much-publicized training camp in France, stating, "It is very unfair to give people beef and expect them to make a fish stew." She noted that the camp failed to meet its intended goals due to a lack of technical support. The Starlets traveled to France on July 15, intending to engage in a high-performance camp in Miramas, where they were supposed to play friendly matches against renowned teams like Olympique Lyon and Marseille. Unfortunately, logistical issues led to a switch to Aix-en-Provence, disrupting their schedule and resulting in the cancellation of planned friendly matches.
Despite the setbacks, Odemba described the campaign as a painful learning experience. While the team had participated in the FIFA Women's Series earlier in the year and faced Zambia as part of their preparations, she believes that more quality friendly matches before the tournament could have significantly enhanced Kenya's competitiveness. She remarked, "If we were able to engage in friendlies before the tournament, it would have made a bigger difference. There have been a lot of lessons, from preparation to tactical approaches, to playing against different qualities of players and understanding the level of this competition.”
Even before their arrival in France, the Starlets' preparations were marred by uncertainty. Just days before their departure, the players staged a go-slow at the FKF secretariat over delayed allowances, refusing to travel until they received guarantees regarding their payments. Although this standoff was eventually resolved, it underscored the administrative distractions surrounding the team, raising concerns about whether Kenya had cultivated the stable, high-performance environment necessary to compete against Africa's elite.
Placed in a demanding Group A alongside powerhouse teams like Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria, the Starlets faced tough challenges. Their match against Morocco ended in a 4-0 defeat, revealing significant defensive weaknesses, while a lack of attacking prowess led to a narrow 1-0 loss against Senegal. In their final match against Algeria, the Starlets struggled to counter the opposing team's momentum, resulting in a 2-0 loss.
FKF president Hussein Mohammed, who observed all three matches in Morocco, defended the federation's efforts, stating, "We put all the necessary plans in place. We provided the team with everything they requested, put in a lot of effort to prepare them, paid all their allowances, and even promised them bonuses." However, reports indicate that not all allowances had been disbursed, casting doubt on the federation's claims.
Reflecting on the campaign, Hussein expressed disappointment with the results but stressed the need to view the Starlets’ performance in the context of rebuilding the national team after years of absence from elite continental competition. He acknowledged, "We are not happy with this performance, but we must also accept that we are not yet at that level." His remarks highlight a critical question arising from Kenya's Wafcon experience: Is the poor performance merely a consequence of a challenging tournament, or does it signify deeper systemic issues that have developed over many years?
Hussein pointed out that the federation has only been in office for a year and a half, emphasizing that building a competitive team takes a decade or more. He stated, "We must invest heavily in our structures, in our technical benches, in player development, our youth programs, and our leagues and competitions." A forthcoming review of the technical department may lead to significant changes, with speculation that coach Beldine's position could be at risk. Hussein concluded, "We shall be making significant decisions in the coming weeks,” leaving fans wondering if these changes will translate into improved performances in the future.
As reported by nation.africa.
