Nairobi News

Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Starlets’s coach, Ms Beldine Odemba, responded to Kilifi County government following their complaint that she dropped their native, striker Esse Akida, from the national team squad.

Harambee Starlets are currently participating in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier matches.

“A coaching job is not like selling ice cream #moderncoach,” said Coach Odemba in one post on November 22, 2023.

In another, she said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that had made all the difference #moderncoach.”

Her statements came after Kilifi County issued a statement in protest over the dropping of Ms Akida from the national squad, a player considered by many as being the most dependable and experienced player in the Kenyan national team.

“In as much as we respect the decision made by Harambee Starlets to axe our very own, Mbeyu Esse Akida, from the national squad, we are not pleased with this decision. Mbeyu has been one of the standout players at her Greece-based club, PAOK Thessaloniki, and dropping her in a very crucial match with all her knowledge and experience of the game, raises more questions than answers. To our daughter Mbeyu, keep your head held high and let your achievements speak for themselves, because here in Kilifi, we are very proud of you and more so, for staying committed to your dreams even when things get tough. Hugs from the people of Kilifi,” read a statement from Kilifi County Government.

It remains unknown why Coach Odemba dropped Ms Akida in what is being considered as a controversial move ahead of a crucial match against Botswana set to kick off next week. Coach Odemba is currently basking in glory after defeating Cameroon in their previous fixture.

Ms Akida made a return to the team after six years and played against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the first round of this tournament. Starlets emerged victorious with a 4-3 win on post-match penalties after the match had ended on 1-1 aggregate at Nyayo National Stadium on September 26, 2023. Kenya’s lone goal was scored by substitute Cynthia Shilwatso in the 89th minute after she came in to replace Akida in the 60th minute.

Despite Coach Odemba’s vague social media quote, Starlets’ fans responded differently as sampled below:

“You will never please anyone in football coaching. People will question every decision you make. To be honest, you went and got your Coaching badges so know that even those who are considered to be top managers- even in top European clubs or country- are scrutinized on every decision they made… What I know and understand coaches do selection based on either form or the ability of a player to fit into the system of play you want to implement for me this is the second team you have called and I know you have not fully settled on the profile of players you need so for me keep on until you find the profile of players that you require in your team. Most of us will be here to support you me in particular I fully believe in what you are doing and so don’t get intimidated,” said Alvins Ogoda.

“Hapo kwa kuwacha Esse Akida na Anita Adongo hukufanya poa coach, you are a good coach, and some of us have been posting about you for several years now, usiwe kama yule mwingine, being a top football analyst kenya am advising you to keep on following my page as you always do above all good selection snr team, hapo kwa rising Starlet’s it’s high time you drop, let another person take over,, uko police,uko rising Starlet’s, uko Harambee Starlet’s hutawezana… My honest opinion. Add Esse Akida and Anita in your squad, then rising Starlet’s shuka, kumbuka wakenya ni wazuri na pia ni wabaya sana,” opined Sirengo Paul.

Esse Akida, 30, currently plays internationally for PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece. Her prowess has seen her play for clubs including Thika Queens and Harambee Starlets in Kenya, Ramat HaSharon in Israel and Besiktas J.K in Turkey between 2012 and 2023.

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