The Football Kenya Federation has named Charles Okere as the new coach of the national women’s football team, Harambee Starlets, after long-serving tactician David Ouma left on mutual consent.
Okere has been serving as an assistant coach with 11-time Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker FC and starts work immediately with his first assignment being on April 24 when Kenya plays Zambia in a friendly match in Lusaka.
“I really feel honored and privileged to be given this opportunity to serve the nation. It is always a huge achievement for anyone, be it a player or a coach to be handed a responsibility with the national team and I feel elated,” the new coach said.
He added; “This is a big challenge and one that I am ready for. It is an opportunity for me to continue learning and growing as a coach and I am willing to give my best to my country just as I have been doing for my club.”
Ouma leaves with his head high having guided Starlets to their first ever qualification to the Total Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) in 2016 and this year, they were one match away from a dream qualification to the Tokyo Olympics.
Okere comes in with his plate full and expectations on his shoulders with the qualifiers for the 2022 AWCON knocking on the door.
“I know that we have some huge tasks ahead, but together I know we can achieve something. We will start off with the match against Zambia and hopefully it gives us a picture of what to expect and what to do as we progress but definitely we want to achieve big things,” noted the coach.
Starlets will hit camp on Thursday to start preparations for the Zambia game.
