When Mwanahalima Adam became the first ever player from her village down at the Coastal strip in Kenya to play for the national team, she not only made history for herself, but also sowed a seed of hope and determination to every football lover she neighbored.
Adam made her senior national team debut for Kenya when she was still in High School, as a 17-year old, and helped Kenya qualify for its first ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2016. She did not make it to be part of the team that travelled to Ghana for the competition as she was doing her final examinations.
The forward has gone on to play in Turkey, and is now in the books of United States top tier side Kansas City Current. Her journey has been inspirational, and one of those who have picked a leaf and is willing to run the same distance, is 15-year old Mwanakombo Bakari.
Bakari, who is still a High School student at Mwaroni Secondary School in Ukunda, in Kenya’s Kwale County, has earned her first ever national team call up, though for the Under-17s, as they start the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup which will be held in Morocco.
Bakari says she was inspired by Adam to take her football seriously, and is now determined to use her junior team call up as a step towards following in the footsteps of her idol.
The attacking midfielder spoke exclusively to Telecomasia.net on her dreams, ambitions and targets to play at the World Cup in Morocco.
- You have earned your first ever call up to the national team. How does this feel for you?
- This is a very special feeling because I have really worked hard for this. It has always been my dream to play for the national team. I never knew it would come this early but all the same I am grateful. It shows that everything I have been doing is paying and it is an encouragement to keep working hard.
- Who has been your biggest inspiration in your career?
- My biggest inspiration has been Mwanahalima Adam. We both come from the Coast region and the same locality and I always looked at her and admired how much football had changed her life. She always inspired me that if I keep working hard, I would get to such levels as well. She has been there, pushing me and encouraging me in every step of the way and she has played a crucial role in where I am today.
- What was her reaction when she learnt that you had earned a call up?
- She was really excited for me and called immediately the news was out. She encouraged me to go in and work hard and ensure that I retain my slot. She also told me how to go about national team duty and that has inspired me a lot, It gives me confidence to know that I have her as a support system and she will hold my hand as I grow.
- Are you confident that you can take the path up to the senior team?
- Definitely yes; I believe I have every ingredient to go all the way up. I just need to keep working, remain disciplined and focused. I am currently in school and I know I have a long path to take. But I am ready to give my all to get to the to.
- The team is starting its journey towards qualification for the 2026 World Cup. What is your ambition with this journey?
- My ambition is to help the team qualify to the World Cup. They were there last year and the girls made history with that qualification. Now, for us who are coming in, we must show that we are equal to the task and we have to maintain the bar that has been set. My determination is to play a role to help the team qualify and go beyond the group stages which they reached last year.
- You are preparing for your first ever international game against Uganda. Are you excited or nervous?
- I am honestly very excited. Donning that national team jersey in a competition has been a dream and I have prepared myself well for this mentally and physically. It will be a tough game because we are starting away from home but I am ready to give my all for the country.
- What is your target and the team’s ambition for this game?
- My target aligns with the team’s targets; to win the game. We have had such good preparations and the coaches have done their work. Now it is for us to execute on the pitch. Everyone desires to give their best and get something from his tie. It is the first leg and we haver to get a result that can propel us playing at home in the second leg.
- Finally, looking at the squad that’s there, can Kenyans dream of going back to the World Cup?
- Yes we can. I believe that we have a very good team and everyone is hungry to achieve. Everyone wants to go back to the World Cup and I know we will give our best in every game. It is what we talk about everyday; working hard, listening to the coaches and executing in the pitch. We are ready to repeat what last year’s team achieved.
