Harambee Starlets: Tunisia awaits – Will we score or just collect stamps in our passports?

Harambee Starlets dominated but failed to score against Tunisia, exposing key flaws. Can they fix them before the high-stakes return leg?

Chants rent the air calling for the sacking of Harambee Starlets head coach Beldine Odemba after the final whistle at Ulinzi Sports Complex. 

Okay, maybe not literally, but the groans and sighs from the stands could be heard all the way to Kasarani. It was one of those games where one would  expect the net to bulge at least once, but alas, we were left with nothing but missed chances and frustrated fans clutching their heads in disbelief. 

The 0-0 draw against Tunisia was the kind of result that makes you wonder if someone cast a spell on the goalposts.

The Starlets did a lot of things right. They controlled the game, moved the ball well, and even gave us a taste of some dazzling footwork. But at the critical moments? Chaos.

If football had a department of missed opportunities, Harambee Starlets would have been crowned its chairpersons. From point-blank shots going wide to final passes that looked like they were meant for the ball boys rather than teammates, Starlets had fans questioning their eyesight. 

It was like cooking a delicious meal but forgetting to add salt—everything was there, except the most important ingredient.

Odemba, despite the frustration, remained optimistic.

“We played well and were very tactical in our approach. We created numerous opportunities, especially from the wings, but couldn’t capitalize on them,” she said, probably thinking about all the open-goal chances that ended up in the wrong postcode. 

But football is a cruel game, and you do not get points for being stylish if you cannot find the back of the net. The problem is clear: Starlets need to stop treating the goal like a forbidden area and start acting like they actually want to score.

Then there was the midfield, which at times looked like a DJ stuck between switching tracks. One moment, they were threading beautiful passes, and the next, they were losing the ball like they had just received a hot potato. 

Tunisia did not even have to work too hard to intercept; sometimes, it was just a gift-wrapped delivery of possession. If Starlets want to make history, they need to stop playing like Santa Claus in February and hold onto the ball with some authority.

And let us talk about defending. It was not bad, but there were moments where hearts were in mouths. A few too many casual clearances, an occasional unnecessary back-pass that had fans praying, and some last-ditch tackles that could have easily ended in disaster. 

Against Tunisia away, there will not be the luxury of a Ulinzi crowd cheering them on; they will be stepping into an away fortress where mistakes are punished swiftly. Tighten up the defense, keep it simple, and for heaven’s sake, no suicidal passes near the penalty box.

Now as the team prepares for a flight to Tunis, one question looms large: will they finally put the ball in the back of the net, or will they just add another country stamp to their passports? 

The answer lies in their boots. One thing is certain, though—if the second leg turns into another game of "almosts," fans might just start looking for the nearest stress-relief hotline.