Beldine Odemba: Why Harambee Starlets' WAFCON qualifier victory over Tunisia was no fluke

Harambee Starlets got the better of  Tunisia in the second leg of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tunisia in Tunis on Wednesday.

Tereza Engesha's sixth-minute goal was enough to send Starlets to the second and final round of the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers following the victory at the Souse Olympic Stadium. The first leg in Nairobi ended in a goalless stalemate.

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Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba engineered a tactical masterstroke that was vital in the victory as the Starlets hope to return to Africa's premier competition for the first time in nine years.

Odemba made a crucial decision ahead of the match, adjusting her starting XI to strengthen key areas. Tereza Engesha started ahead of Fasila Adhiambo while Jentrix Shikangwa got the nod ahead of Cynthia Shilwatso following a rallying call from the fans after the Nairobi leg.

Whether it was introducing a more defensive-minded player, shifting an attacker to exploit Tunisia’s weaknesses, or reinforcing the midfield, this move set the tone for the game.

Odemba's tactical flexibility proved to be the game-changer. By tweaking the formation or repositioning certain players, she ensured Kenya remained compact in defense while maintaining an attacking threat. The Starlets lined up in a 4-3-3 formation but sometimes reverted to 4-2-3-1.

The high-pressing and more aggressive and expansive style allowed the Starlets to outclass their rivals and relief after the final whistle was evident.

Beldine Odemba also made impact substitutions that made the difference. Beyond the starting lineup, Odemba’s in-game changes helped Kenya sustain momentum.

Odemba introduced Violet Nanjala for Shikangwa after the restart with the latter missing two clear-cut chances in the first half. In a bid to control the midfield and dominate possession, Sheryl Angach was brought in as Engesha paved the way.

Harambee Starlets were defensively solid and managed the game really well largely because of Odemba's screaming instructions from the touchline.

In the end, it was goalkeeper Lilian Awuor who was Starlets hero after saving two crucial penalties in regulation time as Starlets held on to win 1-0 and await the confirmation of their opponent in the ultimate qualification round.