TWO days after her 24th birthday (18 November), Kenya forward Esse Akida is eager to announce her presence on the continental scene when the Harambee Starlets take on Ghana’s Black Queens in their Group B opener today in Limbe.
Akida was the top scorer during the COTIF invitational tournament in Spain last July as well as the CECAFA Women’s Championship in Uganda in September, scoring five goals in each.
Speaking ahead of Kenya’s debut at the biggest stage in women’s football in Africa, she exudes optimism and confidence in their quest to shock the continent.
“As a team, our target is to get to the semi-finals and I know it is possible. We have trained very well and been together for a long time and that is something I believe has made us stronger as a team.
“It is a tough assignment definitely noting we are in a tough group, but no one should underrate us,” the pint-sized forward who turns out for Spedag FC in the Kenyan league says.
Akida is looking forward to contributing to the team’s success collectively other than going for personal glory.
“The most important thing for me is the team and not what I achieve individually. At the same time, I always want to do my best to help the team and if it happens I do that and end up as the top scorer, then I will be grateful,” the soft spoken Akida told CAFOnline.com.
The burden of attack will lie squarely on her shoulders especially with the absence of her striking partner Neddy Atieno who left the team a week before their trip to Limbe to join the army.
However, she believes she will not shoulder the burden alone.
“We have a very good team and I believe everyone will work together so that we cover up for Neddy. She is an important part of the team and missing her definitely is a blow. But we have to do without her,” Akida noted.
The forward started her football career as a young girl in her rural home in Kilifi in Kenya’s coastal strip where she grew up at a Non-Governmental Organization, ‘Moving the Goalposts (MTG)’.
She went on to represent the organization at various age grade competitions before earning a scholarship to study and play at the Mount Kenya University, 40km out of Kenya’s Capital Nairobi.
This year, she returned to Mombasa where she has been featuring for the local club Spedag, current leaders of the Kenya’s Women Premier League.
“We are proud of Esse and whatever she has achieved. She is like a light to the girls who are still in the village and a role model to them. She is a very disciplined and hardworking player and I am not surprised at the heights she has reached,” MTG Chief Executive Officer Rachel Muthoga told CAF Online.com.
The Starlets will next face Mali on Wednesday, 23 November 2016 before wrapping up against holders Nigeria three days later, both in Limbe.
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Originally posted by Adeshola