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The Kenya national women’s team is confident of edging Cameroon in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier having been boosted by the availability of several foreign-based players
Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba is counting on the experience in his side to help them overcome Cameroon in their upcoming two-legged 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
Starlets have intensified their preparations ahead of the tough duel and have been boosted by the arrival of nearly all players called up for the assignment ahead of their departure to Cameroon on September 20 for the first leg match set to be played on September 22 in Yaoundé.
Given the experience and pedigree of Cameroon, Starlets know they have their work cut out if they are to advance to the next round but Odemba believes she has sufficient quality to get them over the line.
“Preparations have been good, we are ready, the last batch arrived today (Monday); that is Dogo (Mwanahalima Adam) and Vivian Nasaka, they are ready,” Odemba told the media on Monday.
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11:06 - 14.09.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba expresses concerns ahead of Cameroon clash
The coach expresses readiness concerns ahead of crucial 2024 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers against Cameroon.
“Enez Mango is the one yet to arrive, she will arrive with the afternoon plane and will join us for the evening training.
“We have players who already have experience playing in the national team. They have experience in WAFCON and the qualifiers which will give us a good edge.
“Kenyans being behind us also gives us motivation every time and an extra push and we will give them our best.”
Starlets will fly back home on September 23 in time for their second leg match three days later.
Should they be the aggregate winners of the two-legged qualifier, they will face either Gabon or Botswana in the second round, between November 27 and December 5, 2023.
Victory for Kenya in the second round would secure automatic qualification for the prestigious 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, a tournament they last played in 2016, in what was their maiden appearance.
Starlets have been inactive on the international front since February 2022 when FIFA suspended Kenya due to government interference and the players cannot wait to don the national team colours again.
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20:00 - 10.09.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Starlets begin preparations for 2024 WAFCON qualifier against Cameroon
Bedline Odemba’s charges have hit camp to tune up for the grueling two-legged encounter against the Indomitable Lionesses
“I had a desire to represent the national team, before (during FIFA ban), you could get to the off-season, the players go to their national teams but we remain at club level so I am happy and I promise Kenyans we will not let them down,” said Adam.
Kenya are ranked 148th on the FIFA standings while the Indomitable Lionesses are 56th in the world and third in Africa.
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