One set of twins have also ventured into music and recently released their first album.
The intriguing features of twins is having a unique relationship, sharing a strong and powerful bond that cannot be dazed by time or distance.
It is often difficult to tell who is who in the case of identical twins not only by the public, but also by close family members and even parents as they go ahead to share their hobbies, lifestyles and careers.
It is rare to find twins who are passionate with the same sport. However, it is a different case in Kenya as three sets of twins (girls) have beaten all odds to feature for different teams in the Football Kenya Federation Women’s Premier League.
The Standard Sports takes a look at the different set of twins and the challenges they endure in their new-found football career.
Sharon Adhiambo and Vivian Akinyi (Soccer Queens)
One will have to look closely to differentiate between Sharon and Vivian. The pair admits that hardwork, dedication and discipline have played big roles in their footballing careers.
Their journey to recognition has not been easy, but they say the challenges they have faced made them stronger.
Sharon says that the affection of being twins has contributed to the growth of their careers, thus their on-pitch performance is affected whenever the other is not around.
“We started playing football at a very young age. We were in Class Three at Mathare Community Outreach Primary School. By then, there were no women teams around so we were forced to join our elder brother who was coaching a boys’ team.
“He saw that we had interest in football and welcomed us to train with his team. We later joined Valley View Academy then Sega Girls High School before transferring to Maina Wanjigi where we completed our secondary school education,” Sharon says.
But it is in Class Five while featuring for Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) that they identified their perfect positions. Sharon became a central defender, while Vivian resorted to goalkeeping because by then, the positions had little competition.
“It’s never easy when Vivian is called up to the national team. It is always stressful and uncomfortable staying alone in the house. I feel like everything is shuttered. I keep calling her each time and the encouragement she gives me, keeps me going,” notes Sharon with a depleted tone.
Her sentiments are shared by ‘Vee’ as Vivian is fondly known by her peers.
“It’s interesting to have a twin. In fact most people can’t distinguish who is who whenever we are together. Other people only distinguish us when we are playing because we play at different positions and after the match they can’t tell because we all do make-up and most of times have the same hairdo. Whenever I’m in camp with the national team, I feel so lonely, but it is the frequent conversation between us that keeps me going,” said Vivian.
Apart from football, the 23-year-old twins have ventured into music. They recently released the first album titled ‘Asante’.
“We haven’t found a good platform to sing and we will just concentrate on playing football and working at Mathare Foundation where Sharon is a coach and I work in the performing arts department,” says Vivian.
Vivian also points out they have never had an argument as they are always quick to avoid situations that can bring confrontations among themselves.
Vivian says people always mistake them and whenever that happens, one takes responsibility of the other. They are third born in the family of six.
Leila Apiyo and Anita Adongo (Oserian Ladies)
Laila and Anita are identical twins, but they can be easily distinguished by their hairdo. They started playing football while in Kisumu Primary and later got a sponsorship to join Wiyeta Girls where they won the regional secondary championship twice (2008 and 2010) and finished as runners-up twice (2009 and 2012).
“The greatest challenge is distance. Whenever Anita is in camp with the national team, I feel isolated. But that challenges me to work hard and earn a call up to the national team too,” says Leila.
Leila, who has a Diploma in Business Administration from Kaimosi College Institute says she would like to play football in Germany where her role model Arsenal star Mesut Ozil comes from.
“The support from our parents has really pushed us to where we are now. Their love for football has also kept us together as twins because we enjoy what we are doing together. It’s always a joy to be around Anita,” says the offensive midfielder.
Laila’s twin Anita, who plays as a central defender has a Diploma in Accounts.
“It’s a natural feeling, when we are apart, I feel lonely, but talking to her on phone keeps us going. She motivates me a lot when I get a call up to the national team. I like football and we have come far and can’t just quit because it’s about our passion that drives us because women’s football in the country doesn’t get support like the men,” she says.
Anita previously played for two-time defending champions Thika Queens before joining her twin at Oserian Ladies last season. Apart from football the last borns in the family of six work at Oserian Company.
Just like Sharon and Vivian, Leila and Anita have never had an argument whatsoever.
Ruth Chebungei and Miriam Chelagat (Wadadia Ladies FC)
Born in Kitale, their story came to be known when they were playing for St Teresa’s Tartar Girls School between 2010 and 2014.
Their football exploits during the national secondary school games were recognised by many after Tartar clinched the national title thrice then went ahead to win the regional title.
Ruth and Miriam started their academic journey at Mubere Primary School before joining Tartar in West Pokot County.
Unlike Leila and Anita, it is difficult to distinguish between Ruth and Miriam because they wear the same hairdo most of the time.
“The funniest thing is that our parents can recognise us, but it is challenging for our friends to do the same. If feels good to have a twin because we share so many things. It’s interesting because people can’t tell who is who and when one does a mistake the other is blamed. There is time we were summoned in school, but due to the teacher’s inability to recognise us none of us was punished,” says Ruth.
After secondary, Ruth joined Kaimosi Teachers Training College. It is while at Kaimosi, that she was spotted by Wadadia coach during a friendly match.
“I joined the teaching profession because of my grade and also because I like children. I finished in July this year and now I’m concentrating on my football career,’’ says Ruth.
“Distance is the main challenge when you have a twin. It is never easy to be separated because we do things together and we are proud to be twins. When one is not around, there’s that loneliness that comes in. Whenever Miriam is sick or when she has problem and she is away I feel uncomfortable and sickly,” says the striker.
Between the two, Miriam seems more social and cheeky. “I can’t be blamed for Ruth’s mistakes, that doesn’t mean that I don’t share a great bond with her. It’s exciting how people try to tell us apart. Some say we have different ears others say that one of us is fatter than another, but all that I say is just funny because we are not different in any way,” Miriam says.
The winger chose a different career after her high school education. “I joined Kitale Polytechnic where I’m pursuing General Agriculture. I joined Eldoret Falcons where I played for a season before moving to join my sister at Wadadia.
“I got the motivation to join the team because my twin sister Ruth was playing there by then.”
