Kibera Soccer Women FC is set to play Vihiga Queens on Saturday
NAIROBI, KENYA – A professional women’s soccer team from Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum on the outskirts of Nairobi, will compete on Saturday, June 28, for the FKF Women’s Cup championship, showcasing their talent and resilience to the rest of the country.
The Kibera Soccer Women FC, which is supported by the non-governmental organization CFK Africa, was promoted to the FKF Women’s Premier League in 2023 and made an impressive debut by reaching the finals in their first season. They now have another opportunity at the title, an extraordinary achievement for their first two years in the league.
On Saturday, Kibera Soccer Women will face off against Vihiga Queens FC at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru. This historic match guarantees a first-time champion for the tournament amid growing interest in women’s soccer in Kenya.
“This team of remarkable women demonstrates what we have always believed about the people of Kibera: that they are capable of incredible achievements when given the opportunity,” said Jeffrey Okoro, executive director of CFK Africa. “All of us will be rooting for them on Saturday to bring home the championship.”
CFK Africa has used soccer to promote community change in informal settlements for over two decades. In 2002, the organization launched Kibera’s first all-girls soccer league, empowering girls and young women and later training Kibera’s first female soccer referee.
Kibera Soccer Women FC is an extension of the NGO’s efforts to use soccer as a unifying, confidence-building, and empowering tool in advancing gender equity. In addition to their dedication to the sport, team players also serve as community mentors for CFK Africa’s girls empowerment program.
A top contender in the playoffs, Kibera Soccer Women FC defeated Gaspo Women FC with a 6-0 score, led by MVP defender Amina Nyakoa. In the second round, they beat Sunderland Samba FC 2-0. They went on to defeat previous champion Ulinzi Starlets 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw, then won their semi-final match against the Kenya Police Bullets 2-0 and are poised for victory in the finals.
The championship final this weekend will take place at one of Kenya’s most well-known soccer stadiums.
“This team inspires all the girls and young women in informal settlements who dream big,” added Okoro. “Whatever happens in the championship final, Kibera Soccer Women FC has already won, by breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and proving that the pitch belongs to everyone.”
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About CFK Africa
Founded in 2001, CFK Africa works to improve public health and economic prosperity in informal settlements in Kenya through integrated health and youth leadership initiatives. Using a participatory development approach, the organization works directly with community residents to develop and implement sustainable programs. After marking 20 years of service in Kibera in 2021, CFK began expanding to 25 informal settlements across eight counties in Kenya, including Kajiado, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kisumu, Machakos, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru. For more information, visit www.cfkafrica.org.