Beldine Odemba: Kenya's most succesful female football coach

Beldine Odemba is arguably Kenya's most successful female coach.

She boasts one of the most impressive credentials including a Caf A license she earned this year following a six-month-long intensive training. She exudes intelligence, assertiveness, confidence and expertise.

Beldine comfortably juggles four coaching roles at once. Besides being the current Harambee Starlets and Rising Starlets head coach, she guides Kenya Women's Premier League reigning champions Kenya Police Bullets and Highway Academy.

“All these teams have different playing times. Besides, the Fifa calendar is seasonal, so I have adequate time for the Premier League. I train Highway every day in the evening," she said.

She made history after guiding Kenya Police Bullets to a maiden top-flight title in their debut season.

They will now fly the nation's flag at the Zonal CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Ethiopia. The winners of the qualifiers will advance to the prestigious CAF Women’s Champions League.

"Our major objective is to qualify for the CAF Champions League and do well in the qualifiers. My players will demonstrate their abilities and calibre through the Champions League, which should help them land decent teams abroad."

Beldine hopes to raise the standards of Kenyan football terrain by turning the Kenyan Women's Premier League into a professional league. "I want to bring professionalism to the league."

Harambee Starlets will find it easy to perform better as a result. As a nation, our clubs can participate in larger competitions."

"We will get an opportunity to export more talent and our players will earn better."

Having already steered Bullets to the title, her next target will be the regional Cecafa inter-club trophy. She said she is already rummaging through the market for exceptional talent.

"We seek to strengthen some areas and have identified some players who fit the job. We will need to have a strong squad to compete there."

"We want to progress past the qualifiers and punch a ticket to the Caf Champions League. The continental stage will give my players a perfect platform to showcase their skills and hopefully attract good teams in foreign leagues."

Her success has deconstructed the myth that the technical bench belongs to male coaches and inspired many girls who wish to take up a coaching role at the top level. She urged budding female coaches to hang on to their dreams.

"They should trust the process and have faith in their capabilities. The federation has rolled out many courses they can use to enhance their knowledge.

“Keep your chin up in the wake of challenges. We can do it. There is nothing difficult. We can do it," she concluded.

Beldine's immediate focus is the East Africa Secondary School games that begin on Monday. She will guide Highway Secondary School at the tournament after they fended off a vicious challenge to humble Musingu High School in hotly-contested finals in Kisii county.

Beldine hopes to replicate their feat in Arusha, Tanzania two years ago when they cracked a spot in the finals in their debut appearance after defeating Uganda’s Kibuli Secondary School 2-0 at the Sheikh Abeid Stadium.

She became the first woman to steer a boys’ football team to the final of this competition since its inception in 2002.

Beldine says she has a passion for youth football and coaching Highway has allowed her to do what she loves most. She attributes the school's success to teamwork, hard work and discipline.

“The players understand me so well and I have a good working relationship with the rest of the coaches. The environment is conducive to success,” she said.

Born in Dandora, Odemba drew immense inspiration from her older brothers who actively participated in the Mathare Youth Society Association tournaments. Eager to hone her skills in the game, she would follow them for practice sessions.

MYSA management spotted her talent and asked her to form a girls' team.

“There was no girls’ team back then so I had to play with the boys for so long until I was encouraged to look for a girls’ team. I hung my boots and started coaching.”

She possesses professional qualifications in journalism having pursued a course in print media and photography after high school. She had a stint at the MYSA editorial department.

“I managed their database and edited their magazine besides doing administrative jobs. Eventually, I decided to return to coaching, which I enjoyed most,” she said.

In 2016, she enrolled on a coaching course rolled out by FKF to bolster her tactical expertise. The following year, she was appointed head coach of the Kariobangi Sharks Under-15 and assistant of the Under-17 side.

“We registered the team in the sub-county league and it was promoted to the county league the following year,” she said.

During her years as a youth team coach, Beldine encountered cases of talented players who dropped out of school due to lack of fees.

“I looked around for solutions and managed to secure scholarships for some of the needy players at Dagoretti High School, Upper Hill School and  Kakamega School through my networks,” she said.

She later met Kangema High School principal Irungu Nduati, who valued extracurricular activities.

“I was referred to Mr Irungu Nduati of Kangema High School. He was impressed with my determination to transform lives through sports. I brought him students,” she added.

Nduati was transferred to Highway in 2020 and the two reunited in Nairobi, plotting the school’s rise in football.

“I have taken many children to Highway since I joined and their progress gives me great pleasure,” she said.

Nduati believes Odemba is destined for greater things and possesses the mojo to manage the game at the highest level.

“We are lucky to have her at Highway and I know she has what it takes to succeed against all odds,” said Nduati.

After propelling Highway Secondary School to its maiden Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national football title,  Beldine now targets the regional trophy.

The Nairobi-based school secured a slot in the East African games after defeating Western region giants Musingu High School 3-2 on post-match penalties following a one-all draw in regulation time.

Both finalists landed tickets to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association games scheduled for August 16 - 27 in Mbale, Uganda.

The national champions have been placed in Pool 'A' alongside third-placed St. Joseph's Boys Kitale and defending champions St. Mary's Kitende. They will also flex muscles with Bukedea Comprehensive and Benjamin Mkapa.

Beldine said they intend to entertain the stands with a beautiful display of crisp passes akin to the tikitaka style of play.

“We expect to reach the finals and seal a spot in the International Schools tournament, which we skipped last time. I hope to see my players on the international stage because they will have a chance to showcase their talent,” she offered.

She derives immense joy in seeing the players excel in what they do.

Her impressive credentials include guiding the Harambee Starlets to the final round of Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification, where they narrowly missed out after falling to Botswana.

She aspires to guide the men's national football team, Harambee Stars.

"I want to do much more to improve women's football because I am dedicated. Overseeing the men's national squad would be the apex of my career, even though coaching a men's Premier League team is my ultimate desire. I'm still up for anything, and I'm not going to give up on my goals," she declared.

Away from the football pitch, Odemba spoils herself with what she loves, including photography. She also spends time with her family.

“I have three girls who show little interest in football but love modelling. My son loves kicking things and I know he will play football someday,” she said.

Beldine receives massive support from her loving husband Hassan Rashid who features for Naivas FC in the National Super League.

“My husband is my greatest support system. He encourages me to push above my weight,” she said.