EXCLUSIVE | Trailblazer Mwanahalima: We Can Improve Women’s Football in Africa with More Investment

Mwanahalima Adam made history when she signed for Kansas City Current, becoming the first Kenyan woman to play in the United States National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

The Kenyan international moved to the USA after three years with Turkish top-tier side Hakkarigücü Spor. Back home, she played for local sides Mombasa Olympic and Thika Queens before making the move abroad.

She was one of the players who helped Kenya qualify for their first-ever Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2018, and she did so as an 18-year-old schoolgirl. 

She spoke exclusively to Telecomasia.net on her move to the United States, her ambitions and targets, and what her move means to women footballers in Kenya and the African continent.  

You have made history, becoming the first ever Kenyan to play in the NWSL. How has this impacted you and how does this make you feel?

This is a great feeling for me. The moment I got this opportunity I grabbed it with both hands. I really feel blessed and privileged to make history. It shows that there is really fruit in hard work, perseverance and chasing your dreams.

This also gives hope to those who are following behind me, that everything is possible.

What does this mean for you and your career, moving to the United States?

It honestly does mean a lot for me. I played for several years in Kenya after finishing High School before getting the chance to play in Turkey. I played there for three years, working hard and being patient for a big move and then this came.

It was just about being patient and waiting for the right time. This also means that there is much more in store for me because the NWSL is a big league and women’s football in the United States is very big. It will open more doors for more experience and growth.

How has it been so far? What is the experience like playing in the United States?

So far it has been a great experience. I have settled in very quickly because this is a welcoming team and all players have made me feel at home. Of course the first few days was a bit of a small challenge to get used to new environment, new people etc, but it didn’t take long.

On the pitch it hasn’t been hard because football is universal. It is the same everywhere and you need to adapt quickly if there are any differences. For me, it has been smooth and I am really eager to do more in the team and achieve.

You definitely have huge dreams after joining the team. What do you aim to achieve?

First, the ambition of the team is to be champions at the end of the season. Our target at the moment is to be top of the table in November for us to get an opportunity to be in the play-offs and then we can battle to lift the league title.

Personally, I want to keep on getting playing time with the team and being an integral part of the squad. I also want to score goals just like I did when I was in Turkey.

There are so many talented girls in Africa, back home, and especially in the Coastal region where you come from. How can you encourage them not to drop their dreams?

It’s true, there is a lot of talent on our continent. Back at home in Kenya, there is also so much talent, only that the opportunities are limited. A few of us have been lucky to get opportunities to play outside and this in itself is an encouragement to every girl out there.

I know that everyone’s time will come one day. But opportunity will only come if they keep working hard, being patient and disciplined. That is the biggest advice I can give them. I know most have given up. But I know with patience and hard work, they will always get that chance to achieve their dreams.

Over the last few years, there has been tremendous growth in women’s football in Kenya. Do you believe there’s more potential?

Since we qualified for the Cup of Nations in 2018, we have witnessed a lot of growth in women’s football in Kenya. Currently, there are more women playing professional football outside Kenya than we have had in history.

We just need more investment especially in our leagues from top to bottom. The talent and potential is there but the investment doesn’t match. We need more, we need to have these girls exposed at an early age.

However. I am confident that in the next few years, we will be at a new level. Our U17 girls have qualified for the World Cup for the first time and this is just testimony of what we can achieve.

This year was tough for the national senior team, noting that you missed out on qualification for the Cup of Nations. How hard did this hit the team?

Honestly, it was one of the toughest moments of my career. Not just myself but the entire team as well. Up to date, we have never believed that we lost to Botswana. We had so much belief, so much faith and we have a good team, but it just not wasn’t our day.

But all in all, this is football and you have to take everything in stride. We have picked our lessons and we have moved on. We keep our eyes on the next assignment.

Speaking about next, how does the team ensure they qualify for the next WAFCON?

We need to start preparation as early as possible. We need to create good chemistry and bond between us as teammates. If we can get friendly matches and training camps before the qualifiers start, I believe we will be at a good position.

At the moment we have such a talented team and I believe we will qualify for 2026.

Finally, what do you think should be done to improve women’s football, not just in Kenya but in Africa as a whole?

It is all about investment. The men’s game is where it is because sponsors are ready to come in and spend money. If we can get that in the women’s game as well, we can move places. African teams should be able to compete with the rest of the world comfortably but we have to invest in them and give them opportunities.

Seeing how much investment there is here in America, gives me hope that it is possible for us back at home.