Makolanders head coach explains how former FKF President helped elevate women's football

Makolanders head coach Michael Okang’a has attributed the rapid growth of women’s football in Kenya to improved structures and recent qualifications to elite continental and global competitions.

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Okang’a’s remarks come as Kenya’s U-20 women’s national team, the Rising Starlets, prepare to face Tanzania in the third round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

According to the veteran tactician, who has been involved in women’s football for many years, foundations laid during the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leadership of Nick Mwendwa, coupled with Kenya’s qualification for major tournaments such as the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON), have played a significant role in boosting interest and participation in the women’s game.

“When Nick got into office, we cannot say he did not work. He did a good job with the women’s side,” Okang’a told Mozzart Sport.

“Coming to women’s football, he took it to a different level compared to Nyamweya’s tenure. People began to understand women’s football when they saw the team qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.”

He added that while Kenya’s initial qualification came during Sam Nyamweya’s tenure, the progress that followed was built on stronger systems.

“Though it was under Nyamweya, Nick picked it up from that team which went to the continental stage and laid structures. People then realised women’s football could reach a higher level,” he explained.

Harambee Starlets returned to the continental stage after nine years when they qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The national team sealed qualification with a 1-0 victory over The Gambia in the return leg of the final qualifying round played at Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal, completing a 4-1 aggregate win and booking a place in Morocco.

“So as we speak, a lot of people have invested in women’s football. That is why even when the national team is playing, people are willing to go and watch,” Okang’a said.

“The reason is simple: we have gone to AWCON twice and we have also qualified for the World Cup. People now understand what is happening.”

In June 2024, Kenya’s Junior Starlets made history by becoming the first Kenyan team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.

They defeated Burundi 2-0 in the second leg and 5-0 on aggregate to book a place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup held in the Dominican Republic in October 2024.

According to Okang’a, that milestone further inspired Kenyans and strengthened public support for women’s football.

“If the Rising Starlets are playing and people know that a win takes them to the World Cup, why woul they not they support them?” he posed.

The Makolanders coach also pointed to increased competition and structural expansion within the domestic league as a key driver of growth.

“Previously, we had just two or three tiers. Now we have five tiers in women’s football,wherever you go, you find women playing football,” he said.

“In the past, you could count the number of women’s teams that could really compete. The league had very little competition. But now the levels are high, the competition is strong, and we have quality players.”

Okang’a further noted that investment in coaching education has also played a crucial role in professionalising the women’s game.

“Without coaches, football would still be far behind. Players at grassroots, schools and higher levels are now being handled by well-trained coaches because the foundations were laid through coaching courses and structured training programmes.”