Female Coach Challenges Gender Norms in Kenya’s Top Men’s Football League

This video can not be playedJackline Juma is achieving a historic milestone as the inaugural female coach of a men’s squad in Kenya’s premier football league, yet she continues to encounter gender bias during matches. As she guided FC Talanta into the fresh Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season, Juma quickly became aware that her appointment was not universally welcomed. “There were some words uttered from the other bench like ‘We are not playing women’s football’,” Juma recounted to BBC Sport Africa, referring to her second match overseeing the team against Sofapaka. She added, “And I was like ‘Oh, OK. But let 90 minutes decide’.” Juma’s team secured a 1-0 victory, effectively quieting her detractors. “After the match, of course, we did not shake hands,” she stated. She further commented, “Earning three points against a very experienced coach gave me the motivation that I need to keep going.” An official from Sofapaka did not provide a response when asked for a comment regarding the occurrence. Juma, a 38-year-old mother of two, started her coaching career more than twenty years prior and currently possesses the Confederation of African Football’s A license, which is the second-most prestigious qualification available in Africa. She identifies Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta as her coaching role models, and her objective is to introduce a controlling, possession-oriented playing style. Although she has emerged as a trailblazer for other women, she initially did not perceive her appointment in August from a gender perspective. “To me, I thought it’s normal,” she remarked. “It wasn’t until they talked about it being history that I realised this is big.” She affirmed, “Gender should not be a barrier. I told myself they’ll judge me based on what I deliver, not because I’m a female coach.” Talanta occupies the 15th position in the KPL standings following five matches of the current season. Juma commenced her coaching journey at 16 years old and, having completed numerous courses, also serves as an elite coach instructor. She accumulated substantial experience with various women’s clubs and Kenya’s Under-20 women’s national team prior to receiving the offer from Nairobi-based Talanta. Her initial challenge involved convincing her family, who harbored doubts about her accepting the position and wondered if she could manage the demands. “They were also concerned about the critics but I told them ‘There’s nothing difficult. Let us give it a try’,” she clarified. Subsequently, she addressed the Talanta squad itself. “There was a player who texted me ‘Coach, let me take this opportunity to congratulate you and welcome in the team before even you come’,” she recalled. “This gave me a head start.” Captain Augustine Kuta acknowledged that Juma’s appointment came as “a shock” to the majority of the team, but they were swiftly impressed during training sessions. “After her first session, how she handled it, we could feel that she was really qualified for the job,” Kuta informed BBC Sport Africa. He added, “[There were] new drills that most of the players didn’t expect from a female coach. After the first session everyone was ready to work and help her achieve her goals.” Nevertheless, Kuta notes that rival players have expressed doubts about Juma’s abilities. “Most are like ‘Are you going to manage performing in the league with a female coach? The Premier League is difficult. It needs an experienced coach’,” the 32-year-old midfielder elaborated. “But that’s what’s driving us – trying to disprove them.” He concluded, “They should not put her down because she’s a female coach. We have seen what she can do.” Juma’s objective is to achieve a top-six placement in the KPL during the current season. Juma’s path to the KPL has presented challenges. She encountered considerable resistance from her family when she started playing football at nine years old, as they considered the sport “a boy’s thing.” “I kept on going, no matter how hard it was, until eventually they started supporting [me],” she stated. She had secured a position on the national team prior to being compelled to retire from playing and focus on coaching in 2016. Last season, Talanta concluded the 18-team premier division in 15th place, and multiple male coaches possessing comparable credentials had shown interest in assuming the role. However, vice chairman James Theuri indicated that the club was prepared to pursue a different course. “We wanted a coach not only for immediate results but who can grow with our players,” he conveyed to BBC Sport Africa. He added, “Jackline has proven that she can be a good mentor and has a passion for young athletes.” He concluded, “It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but Jackline was qualified and we wanted to challenge the boys.” Juma represented Kenya women, known as the Harambee Starlets, in 26 international matches. Juma’s new role has also provided her with an enhanced platform to advocate for gender equity and equal remuneration. “It’s football. It’s not like we are playing 60 minutes and they [men] are playing 90 minutes,” she remarked. “We are putting in as much effort. The motivation should be equal for both men and women.” Indicating a shift in trends, Juma is not the sole female head coach to have managed a premier team in East Africa during the current season. In October, Oliver Mbekeka temporarily took the helm of Ugandan Premier League team Lugazi, securing a 1-0 victory in her single match against Giants before reverting to her permanent position as assistant coach. However, Juma emphasizes that this represents merely the start of what ought to be a more extensive movement, given her personal encounters with gender bias throughout her progression in the sport. “This was one of the most annoying things for me in my career – female players [being] treated with so much disrespect compared to men,” she commented. Regarding her aspirations on the field, Juma intends to guide Talanta to a top-six standing in the KPL this season. Presently positioned 15th, having recorded two draws and two defeats in addition to their victory against Sofapaka, they trail sixth-placed Tusker by four points, with two matches yet to be played. Irrespective of the season’s outcome, Juma expresses her desire that her narrative will motivate women and girls aspiring to careers in football. “I want to inspire them and show them that it’s very much possible,” she declared. “All they need first is to believe in themselves, have confidence, get the required knowledge, and every opportunity they get, they should make good use of it.”