Kenya, Australia to square off in Nairobi stop of Innaugural FIFA Women’s International Series
Kenya’s head coach Beldine Odemba believes Wednesday’s final against Australia in the Nairobi stop of the inaugural FIFA Women’s International Series will be a key indicator of how much her side has grown, and how the young players can take in big game pressure.
Kenya and Australia will square it out in Wednesday’s final after both picked victories in their opening matches Sunday night. Kenya beat India 2-0 while Australia were in a class of their own, beating Malawi 5-0, both matches played at the Nyayo National Stadium.
“It will be a big match for us, playing such a high-profile opponent with big players. It is a good test for my young players just to see how they can rise up to pressure, and if they are ready to go to the next stage of football competition. Australia is one of the best women’s football teams in the world and I can’t wait to compete against them,” Odemba stated.
Kenya’s Starlets, using the FIFA Series as a launchpad towards the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Morocco 2026 shone on home soil, wedging out India courtesy of goals in either half from Marta Amunyolete and Terry Engesha.
“We played really well but I feel we should have had more goals with the chances we had. It is important at the high level to burry every chance you get because if you don’t do it, you will be punished. We were just lucky we weren’t punished but this is a big lesson we have picked from this opening game,” Odemba said.
Meanwhile, Australia coach Joe Montemurro is also looking forward to the match against another African opponent, having outclassed Malawi. Emily Van Egmond, skipper Sam Kerr, Alex Chidiac, Holly McNamara and debutant Leticia McKenna scored the goals.
“This was a really important match for us especially physically. We needed to experience playing at such conditions because the altitude was really tough and we had to slow down the game at some points to be able to cope but the gains have been massive. We were able to see off the match really well and test out different structures, different formations and different players which is practically the essence of these games,” the former Arsenal women coach stated.
Looking ahead to the match against Kenya, where a capacity crowd is expected in midweek under the lights, Montemurro is waiting with bated breath.
“We saw today the kind of atmosphere Kenya played in and we expect that and more on Wednesday. Kenya has a fantastic young team and they will provide us with a good challenge,” the coach noted.
While Kenya and Australia battle for the inaugural trophy, Malawi and India will square it out in the play-off match. Malawi, just like Kenya will be headed for the WAFCON in July, this being their maiden sojourn.
Despite their massive loss to Australia, coach Fazili Lovemore says the game opened their eyes to what it feels like to play high level teams, and the amends they need to make before facing India.
“I have a young team which I am building up but I believe we are on the right track. Sometimes it is great to have such results because they give you a reality check. But, there are lots of positives we saw and as we build towards WAFCON, we are going to work on them to ensure we improve,” the coach said.
He added; “We would like to finish on a high against India because this will boost our confidence a lot. Of course it was a miss being without Temwa and Tabitha (Chawinga) but it provided us an opportunity to see other players.”
Kenya is among four countries hosting the inaugural FIFA Women’s Football Series that includes 16 teams, a tournament tailored to give women’s football a chance to grow by injecting a competitive atmosphere in friendly matches.