Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba has opened up on why South Africa’s women’s national team declined a proposed friendly match against Kenya as part of preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Kenya has been intensifying preparations for the continental showpiece, but Odemba admits she would have preferred more high-profile build-up matches, especially on home soil.
“I can’t say that I’m satisfied with the friendlies because, as a coach, you always want more,” Odemba said. “We wanted to play against South Africa here at home, but unfortunately we found out that they will be hosting COSAFA and, as hosts, they have to take part in that tournament.”
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Why South Africa snubbed Harambee Starlets friendly request
South Africa’s senior women’s team, popularly known as Banyana Banyana will be engaged in the regional COSAFA Women’s Championship, which ruled them out of the proposed international friendly during the FIFA window.
Odemba further revealed that Kenya had proposed 3 possible opponents, with two others Zambia and Malawi were also unavailable as they belong to the COSAFA region and had similar commitments.
“The other two sides we suggested were also from the COSAFA region Zambia and Malawi. We really wanted to host a friendly match here at home, but we have not succeeded. However, we have received invitations to play away matches, and we are thankful because such friendlies will still be useful to us,” she explained.
With home options limited, the Starlets will now travel to Ivory Coast for two international friendlies against Benin and the hosts.
“We will be going to Ivory Coast for the two matches, which fall under the FIFA window, and they will be good preparation for us to gauge the team,” Odemba noted.
After the West African tour, the squad will head to Miramas, France, for a residential training camp before proceeding to Morocco for WAFCON.
“The camp in France will give us an opportunity to rectify some of the mistakes we will identify from the friendlies before heading to WAFCON,” she added.
Friday’s session marked the team’s final camp in Kenya. Preparations began with an initial mini-camp that featured only locally based players before a second camp brought together both local and foreign-based stars.
“We started with the first mini-camp before breaking off, and now this is our final one. The preparations have been great, and we have had all the players in camp. We will be travelling with 25 players as per CAF regulations,” Odemba confirmed.
The coach has also blended youth with experience, incorporating several promising players from the national U20 side into the provisional squad, with some expected to make the final cut for WAFCON.
“We have been incorporating the youth players into the system gradually. For now, it is about helping them get used to this level, but I am confident that by the time we finish the Miramas camp, they will be ready,” she said.
As the Starlets fine-tune their preparations, Odemba remains optimistic that despite missing out on certain friendlies, the team will be competitive when they step onto the continental stage in Morocco.