Don’t be deceived. Women’s football in Kenya is no joke. Just ask Doreen ‘Dodo’ Nabwire, the only Kenyan female footballer to ever turn professional.
As critics still argued that women will never match men in football, Doreen was doing her thing, playing football professionally and making history.
The former Mathare United and Matuu Ladies midfielder played in Germany’s top-tier league, where she appeared for both Werder Bremen and FC Koln. That is no mean achievement.
The highlight of her career, she says, came when Harambee Starlets qualified for the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) tournament held in Cameroon.
“That Kenya qualified for AWCON was historical. I have had many individual achievements, like playing professional football in Germany, but seeing my country get to the continental stage for the first time ever was my biggest high.
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I am happy that I got the opportunity to witness it first hand by virtue of being the team manager,” says Doreen, who is also a coach.
Asked about the differences between our local women’s league and that of the Germans, she says: “The league is run more professionally in Germany; everything football is taken seriously.
It’s a bit relaxed here in Kenya.” The 30-year-old star notes that, “We have a long way to go, but we are making good progress.”
On whether the game is rewarding to women players in Germany compared to their male counterparts, Doreen says: “Women league in Germany does not attract much sponsorship. A player is given a car, and some little pocket money. That’s it.”
Doreen, who has no immediate intentions of playing in the Kenya women premier league, adds she wishes to put into use her professional experience to better football in Kenya. The former Harambee Starlets’ player is currently the women development officer at Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
“I love football, but I cannot play for a premier league club in Kenya because of work and family commitments. But I have registered with a Nairobi branch team and I will play for them whenever I can,” says Doreen.
Doreen is married to a Muslim and hence has converted to Islam.
“My new religion has not affected me much because I am still transitioning. It is challenging, but I know that with time, I will conform fully,” she says.
The star who comes from a rich football pedigree, says her family inspired her while they were living in Mathare slums.
Her brothers Eric Johanna plays for Mathare United, while Felix Oucho, who is a coach at a club in Busia, also played for Mathare United. Her other brother, Anthony Kadudu featured for Tusker FC. Her sister, Christine Nafula is also a footballer.
“My dad was a gifted footballer. That inspired us to take football seriously. My elder brothers were good players too and that made us develop interest in the game.
Personally, I fell in love with football through them, and started playing football in 2002 when Mathare United formed a women’s team,” Doreen adds.
She recalls the criticism when she doubled up as both the team manager and player for the Kenya women national team’s Harambee Starlets at the 2016 Cecafa tournament. Kenya lost to Tanzania in the finals.
Doreen’s dream is to pursue a coaching career.
