Sweden: Kenyan women stars are picking up professional football

Mary Kinuthia in action for Dalhem IF [courtesy]

Three Harambee Starlets players sign up contracts with Swedish clubs while three league strikers get US scholarships.

After years of neglect, women’s football in Kenya is making impressive strides with some players going professional.

Backed by a strong Women Premier League (WPL), which attracted 16 teams this season and received financial support from Fifa, the future looks even brighter.

But that did not last. The league has been halted after Fifa delayed in releasing money meant for the second leg.

Each of the 16 clubs was to receive Sh750,000 but they have been given only half of the money.

According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa, the money will be wired to the clubs once it is received from Fifa.

“We have had a challenge kicking off the second leg but this is due to Fifa’s delay in releasing the funds.

“I advised the clubs to continue playing as we wait for the money but they declined. When we receive the money, we will pay them and then they can get back to the pitch,” he said.

Despite the hiccup, the league has been played for the second time on a home and away basis. The first time was in 2012 when it was sponsored by Unicef.

Even with the second leg yet to kick off, a number of players have already penned professional contracts with clubs in Sweden, which has turned out as a favourite destination.

Although the number of professional players can’t match that of their male counterparts, at least efforts by Kenyan women to feature in European leagues have borne fruits.

A couple of months ago, three Harambee Starlets players -- Teresa Engesha who turns up for Vihiga Queens, Starlets winger and co-captain Mary Kinuthia (Gaspo Youth) and midfielder Christine Nafula (Makolanders) were handed two-months contracts by Swedish second division club, Dalhem IF, a side that is coached by former Kenyan International Robert Mambo. 

Harambee Starlets' Teresa Engesha (left) drible ball past Cecilia Nengono of Equaitorial Guinea during AWCON qualifier at Kenyatta stadium Machakos County on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Having played in Sweden for a month now, the trio have made a mark, helping their side to three wins while suffering one loss.

Speaking to Standard Sports, Mambo expressed satisfaction with the three, adding that their winning mentality has brought good tidings to the club.

“The girls are doing a good job. We are making great steps win surviving relegation as a result of their efforts. Their performance has been outstanding, their presence has been felt a lot since they got here. With three matches to go, we are optimistic we will survive if we can win our remaining matches,” said Mambo said

The trio has 14 goals between them in the four matches. While Kinuthia has scored seven, Engesha has managed six with Nafula finding the back of the net once.

Kinuthia scored her first hat-trick during last weekend’s 5-1 win away against Satra SK B. Engesha was also on target once in the big win.

Mambo said the players’ contracts will expire by the end of this month but they may get an extension.

Currently, Dalhem IF occupies ninth place on the ten-team league with 13 points. 

“It was a short contract because we wanted them to help the team survive the chop then after that we shall know about their future at the club. We are playing against Lidingo on Sunday (today), a team that is well above us,” added Mambo.

Mary Kinuthia in action for Dalhem IF [courtesy]

Sweden seems to be a great hunting ground for Kenyan women footballers. Last year, Vihiga Queens rising star Cynthia Shilwatso and Lily Awuor who at the time was plying her trade with Tanzania’s Kigoma Sisters were invited for a three-month trial with Hammarby but failed to secure permanent deals.

Vihiga Queens coach Alex Alumira says the league stoppage has a negative impact in terms of mentality and fitness levels since most teams don’t train. “Lack of finances affects the frequency of training and that affects playing time,” said Alumira.

Apart from Sweden, this season has been good since four other players who have been playing for Women Premier League sides under the youth development structure got a five-year athletic scholarship in the USA.

They include Thika Queens duo of Christine Kitaru and Faith Kwamboka alongside former St John’s Kaloleni sensation, Lenvix Rachuonyo. They are currently in the USA with Coffeyville Community College.

The trio joins another youngster, Marjolene Nekesa who features for Oklahoma University in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) soccer League.

Former Kenyan international, Simon Mulama said the league is a good avenue for development and more has to be done.

“Women league has not been strong in terms of sponsorship and player welfare but it has helped players to showcase talents and opportunities to play for the national team.

“They can later go professional or get a chance to get college scholarships in and out of the country where they can advance their academic dreams and ambitions while playing the sport they love,” Mulama said.