The Kenya Women’s Premier League (KWPL) has been growing at a steady pace in the past few years. However, it has recently witnessed mass exodus of talent.
Trans Nzoia Falcon’s forward Violet Nanjala is the latest player to leave the KWPL. Nanjala is set to complete her move to Morocco’s Municipal de Laayoune.
In an exclusive interview with TeamKenya.co.ke, former Gaspo Women head coach Isaac Maluki disclosed various reasons female players are opting for oversea leagues.
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According to Maluki, the main reason for the exists is better pay.
“Most Kenyan players have decided to try the Tanzanian League because of better pay. The Tanzanian Football Federation has brought sponsors in their leagues, this means that funds trickle down to the players in terms of remuneration, allowances and salaries. In Kenya, we don’t have a sponsored league, so payment is still a problem,” stated Maluki.
Maluki added that the ongoing Football Kenya Federation (FKF) debacle and the presence of quality training facilities in oversea clubs have made most KWPL stars quit the domestic league.
“The debacle that is going on between the government and FKF is affecting football in Kenya, hence the players are looking for better playing environment out of the country,”
“Better football structures in different countries also help the player to grow, both tactically and technically. Case in point, the TFF has organized a better league than ours, that’s why we see more players going there,” explained Maluki.
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Maluki, who is an experienced tactician also cited the boom of football agent business in the country as another reason causing many female footballers to exit the local league.
According to him, Kenya is producing many talented players, making the business a lucrative venture.
“Kenya has a pool of talented players, it’s evidently seen when we play international tournaments and that is where a majority of players are identified by foreign clubs,”
The agent business is on the rise in Kenya, and every agent is working hard to export a player or two. This in turn has led to the exodus of players to foreign leagues,” he revealed.
Some of the Kenyan players who are currently playing in foreign leagues include Anita Adongo, Monicah Chebet, Peris Oside, Carolyne Rufa and Florida Casinoh. The Harambee Starlets duo of Topister Situma and Corazone Aquino were also recently recruited by a Tanzanian club.
Starlets forward Mwanahalima Adam, Jentrix Shikangwa, Ruth Ingosi, Esse Akida, Dorcas Shikobe, Terry Engesha, Cynthia Shilwatso and shot stopper Annedy Kundu have also left the country for top European leagues.
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