Kenyan Sports ⚽⚽⚽

July 22, 2021

FOOTBALL IS ALSO A CAREER FOR US, WE NEED THE SAME ATTENTION YOU GIVE MEN.

It is believed that talent is a God-given gift or skill. However, in Africa it is believed that soccer is meant for boys and not for girls. Kenya have played a very big role in improving soccer games for girls. As a result, a good number of Kenyan ladies are playing higher level leagues in Europe and many more ladies are also dreaming to achieve the same goal.

According to Mwatha, women playing soccer should also be given the same attention men are getting. "its talent not men's affair" She said.

Mercy Mwatha is one of the Kenyan ladies who have identified football as their main career. Talking to Berry sports today, Mwatha said that soccer has done a lot to her and she believes that more are just about to come.

Player Profile

Mercy Mwatha was born in Nyakach Kisumu County, she grew up in a small village called koloo. She started her schooling at Rae primary and later transfer to Oremo primary. After joining Oremo in class 3, she started developing interest in football. The fast that people believed that football is men’s game, Mwatha faced a lot of challenges. “I lost so many friends since they never played football, I had to spend a lot of my free time with boys playing soccer. It wasn’t easy coz men are just men and they’ll never consider the fact that I am a lady. I got injuries and many times I felt like quitting.”

Mwatha thought of quitting because of the challenges until she got her friend Valarie who loved soccer just like her. “After few years, the game became my every day’s cup of tea. I became so passionate about it. As I developed into my talent I formed a team with few girls in school. We used to train during games time and sometimes miss classes because of football. During sports days we used to play and I would try my best to emerge as the best player in every single game.”

Mwatha managed to play in Primary School National School games when she was in class eight. She was the only lady in their sub county to go present Nyanza in National school games. “In primary we played in different levels; zones, counties, regional and nationals I succeed in all the levels and reached in Nationals which was held in Mombasa. After national ball games I traveled back and concentrate on my studies since I was to sit for my national exams.”

After National School games, Mwatha developed interests and interest on the game. She knew very well that education is more important and she had to work so hard to make sure that she doesn’t fail in her exams “I think I loved the experience and that all I ever wanted to do for the rest of my life. After exams I carried on with training as I was waiting for results. After two months the results were announced and by God's grace I pass. After results I managed to join form one in Kobala School which gave me a platform to read and explore my talent (Thanks to Kobala). I studied for two years and transfer to Magare girls which was another cool environment for studying and playing football".

Mwatha confirmed and Coach Robert Ojienda have played a big role in her football career, however, that’s not a surprise to Berry sports since Coach Ojienda is well known in nurturing talents. “Meeting Robert Ojienda Coaches is one of the greatest things God have ever did in my life hahaha. It was a nice experience, Ojienda is a cool coach. Coach Robert Ojienda helped me so much to explore my talent, learn new things and gain the confidence in the midfield. We played in different levels, district, county and regional. We managed to reach regional where we were knocked out in semifinals and that's where our dream for reaching National ended. After that we got back to school concentration on studies. And finally sited for national exams in 2017.

After one year I got a chance in Zetech University where currently studying and playing. In my football I got few challenges as I was the only lady in my village who had interest in this beautiful game I find heard I had nowhere to train sometimes I even train barefooted.. Besides I've benefit with my football since it catered for my high school fee and now University fee. I traveled in different places just playing football."

"Finally I'm glad to be playing in one of the biggest team in Kenyan women premier League. That's Zetech Sparks.. I'm humble to be part of this team I'll always say thanks to my coach Bernard Kitolo for the good work he's always doing for us . To my team mates it's my pleasure playing with you. Sky is the limit"