When the final whistle went at the Abebe Bikila Stadium to declare Commercial Bank of Ethiopia the 2024 Cecafa champions, Police Bullets head coach Belidine Odemba left with her head held high.
Odemba was named coach of the tournament and won admirers with her style of play and organisation as she tore even the defending champions Simba Queens on her way to the final on debut.
Odemba said the Kenyan side, led by captain Lydia Wanganda, stood out in Addis and were unlucky in the final. However, she acknowledged how tough it was to face a team that had beaten Police 2-1 in the group stage.
“Winning coach of the tournament means teamwork and cooperation in the technical bench. The players did their best. You can only become the best coach when your players stand out," she said.
Her focus has shifted to their Women's Premier League title defence.
"We have to prepare and push to win the league again and return to the Cecafa championships stronger," said Odemba.
Odemba was looking for her third title this year after the WPL and Kenya Secondary Schools football trophy she won with High Way Secondary School last month.
Meanwhile, Bullets' Annedy Kundu emerged as the best goalkeeper.
“We started badly but improved by the day to reach the final. This was possible due to resilience and hard work from the team,” said the Harambee starlets shot-stopper.
