Harambee Starlets are in Tanzania to compete in the ongoing CECAFA Women’s Championship where they have so far been impressiveKenya has won all her three matches; a 3-0 win against Burundi in the opening match, a 4-0 win over Uganda and a similar score-line against South Sudan.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsThe tournament which has brought together five teams, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan and the hosts, Tanzania is being played in a round robin format, with the winner declared after the final match.Kenya is currently ranked second with nine points, same as leaders Tanzania, but the latter has a superior goal difference of 12 as compared to Kenya’s 11.With the impressive results, Mozzart Sport looks at six lessons learnt so far from the Harambee Starlets.Starlets going for the jugular in CECAFA title clash against Tanzania1. Tactical Discipline and OrganizationKenya’s performance has demonstrated nothing but tactical discipline and organization.The starlets play with a clear identity where they are building from the back, creating as many triangles as possible especially in the middle of the pack where they also play quick passes.Every player seems to know where they should be positioned and where the ball should go with the team seemingly avoiding unnecessary dribbling.The team also creates overloads in wide areas or switches the ball in case overloads do not work.Additionally, the team had been very solid in defense both in terms of positional play and individually with defense starting with pressing high up the pitch.Harambee Starlets whitewash Uganda to extend dominant CECAFA Championship start2. Effective Goal conversionOne of the major problems that have bedeviled Kenyan football teams has been the inability to convert chance to goals.However, that has not been the case with Harambee Starlets at CECAFA. The team has demonstrated high ability to convert both open and half chances.Most notably, Harambee Starlets have managed to score goals from set pieces and have so far scored three goals from set piece situations.The fact that the team has been able to score 11 goals in three matches- the second highest in the championship proves their prowess in converting chances.##NAJAVA_MECA_8986461##3. Great squad depth and ChemistryHarambee Starlets have also exhibited that they have a good squad depth and team chemistry all through their three games.This has been demonstrated by the impact made by the substitutes in the games.The substitutes have either been increasing Kenya’s threat and stability, or at worst maintaining the levels.In their third match against South Sudan Kenyan coach Beldine Odemba made eight changes to her starting eleven but still the team managed a 4-0 victory.Harambee Starlets coach credits player for emphatic victory over Uganda4. Growing Confidence and momentumWhile Kenya commenced the championship on a high with a 3-0 victory over Burundi the team looks better by each passing game.The Harambee Starlets faced Uganda which at least on paper looked like a more formidable team but won with an even better margin and maintained the same result in the third match.With three wins in a row and with comfortable score lines, the team’s confidence and momentum has kept growing and is expected to be even much better against Tanzania.‘They should be renamed Harambee Stars’- Kenyans on Harambee Starlets CECAFA performance5. Beldine Odemba masterclassThe Championship have also demonstrated the prowess of head coach Beldine Odemba.Despite Kenya having poor preparations and some of the key players pulling out of the squad, the Kenya Police Bullets tactician has managed to create a competitive team that is now challenging for the title.Even when she made eight changes against South Sudan, Odemba’s team maintained the same identity and tactical discipline.Oduor lauds Harambee Starlets’ grit in big win over Burundi6. Need for consistency beyond CECAFAHarambee Starlets have without a doubt performed well in the tournament and especially with the issues on preparations and call ups before the tournament.However, there is a need for the team to have the consistency beyond the confines of CECAFA and take it to continental and global matches like the upcoming 2026 AFCON qualifiers against The Gambia on Monday 20 October.
