FC Talanta head coach Jackline Juma speaks to her assistant during a training session. COURTESY: Football Kenya Federation
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Jackline Juma will be the first woman to manage a club in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) following her appointment as the coach of FC Talanta.
In a statement on Monday, the club announced Juma’s appointment noting that “she is one of only three female coaches with a CAF A license in Kenya and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge.”
Juma replaces Ken Kenyatta who joined fellow KPL club Kakamega Homeboyz. Juma is a former player and previously coached women’s football club side Kayole Starlets, and the Kenya Under-15 girls’ team.
Juma will be tasked with improving the fortunes of FC Talanta, which finished 15th in the league, just a point above the relegation zone.
Her appointment has been welcomed with many stakeholders saying this was a big first step towards recognition of women in football.
“Join us in sending our heartfelt congratulatory messages to our member and former player Jackline Juma after being announced as the first-ever female coach in the Kenya Premier League (KPL),” the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“History in the making! Congratulations to our former Coach, Jackline Juma for being the first woman ever to lead a men’s team in the Kenyan League. We wish you all the best Jackie,” Kayole Starlets said in a statement.
FC Talanta’s first game will be away to Sofapaka on September 14. They were scheduled to play defending champions Gor Mahia in their opening match on August 25 but the match was postponed due to Gor Mahia’s participation in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
The 2024/2025 Kenyan Premier League gets underway on August 24.
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