The Harambee Starlets arrived in Tunisia on Tuesday morning for the second leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier, following a goalless draw at the Ulinzi Complex last Friday.With the aim of securing a spot in the second round of the qualifiers, Beldine Odemba’s team will look to improve their performance and make amends in the return fixture.South African club slams FKF in bid to appoint Harambee Stars’ next coachDebutants Make Their MarkThree rookies had the opportunity to make their competitive debuts for the national team in the first leg, and all performed admirably. Janet Mumo started as a right-back, Lavender Akinyi played as a defensive midfielder, and Fasila Adhiambo took on the role of an attacking midfielder. While all three debutants impressed, it was Akinyi who stood out the most.Akinyi’s Impressive Performance in the Middle##NAJAVA_MECA_8737216##Lavender Akinyi’s performance in the heart of midfield was exceptional, demonstrating a combination of work rate, competitiveness, and an ability to influence both attack and defense. She was composed under pressure and displayed a variety of passing techniques to maintain possession and dictate the pace of the game.Akinyi completed the highest number of passes for her team, with 64 attempts, 59 of which were accurate, giving her a pass accuracy of 92%. This impressive statistic highlights her pivotal role in controlling the game and keeping possession.Three tactical challenges Harambee Starlets must address ahead of return Tunisia clashAdditionally, Akinyi made six progressive passes, more than any other player, although only two were successful (a 33% accuracy rate). To unlock more attacking opportunities for the Starlets, improving the quality of her progressive passes will be key moving forward.Shots and Shooting AccuracyIn terms of offensive contributions, Akinyi registered five shots on goal, sharing the lead with Mwanalima Adam. However, only one of her attempts was on target, indicating that she may need to refine her shooting decisions, particularly by targeting areas more likely to result in goals.##NAJAVA_MECA_8737220##Strong Defensive PresenceDefensively, Akinyi was a force to be reckoned with. She won the most balls on the field, with seven successful recoveries. Ball-winning is a vital skill for a midfielder, as it disrupts the opposition’s momentum and limits their ability to control the game.She also made five tackles, winning two, which gives her a 40% tackle success rate. Although she was occasionally caught out by the opposition’s transitional play, her teammates did well to cover for her.Make-or-break moment for Harambee Starlets in return Tunisia WAFCON qualifierAkinyi was also a standout in terms of interceptions, with three made in the opposition’s half — the most by any player. No other player was able to intercept the ball higher up the pitch, highlighting Akinyi’s important role in pressing and transitioning play from defense to attack.While her efforts helped the Starlets gain possession in dangerous areas, they were unable to capitalize and convert those chances into goals.##NAJAVA_MECA_8737221##Akinyi’s Growing InfluenceOverall, Lavender Akinyi demonstrated a well-rounded performance, excelling both in defensive work and in her ability to progress the ball forward. Her positioning, work rate, and decision-making allowed her to be a key figure in the midfield.If she starts in the return leg against Tunisia, Akinyi could play a crucial role in helping the Starlets secure a favourable result and advance to the next round. Her contributions in the first leg prove that she will be a player to watch as the team looks to improve and build on their performance.Beldine Odemba reveals Harambee Starlets game plan in Tunisia
