Evelyne Anyango’s impact on women's football in Kamukunji
By Charles Sisia |
Evelyne Anyango, currently the head coach of lower-tier side Mrembo Girls FC, recently guided Team Kenya to a third place finish in the Homeless World Cup in Arusha.
Evelyne's passion for football was evident from a young age, growing up in MOW Estate, Pumwani Ward. Despite her enthusiasm, her father did not allow her to play the game. After her father's retirement, the family relocated to their rural home, where they spent five challenging years doing labor work to survive. Following the loss of both parents, Evelyne returned to Nairobi to live with her aunt while seeking employment.
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She found work as a house manager, a role she held for three years before moving to Kiambiu Slums to stay with her elder brothers. In 2005, Evelyne became a founding member of the Kiambiu Youth Group, which aimed to engage young people both socially and economically. The group provided essential services such as waste management, clean water, and constructed a public restroom, funded by Maji na Ufanisi, a Community Based Organisation (CBO).
The youth group also formed a sports committee, and Evelyne was selected to help establish the football team Kiambiu Youth FC. She played a key role in organizing tournaments and providing sports equipment. When the head coach, Peter Onyango, popularly known as “LION,” fell ill, he asked Evelyne to step in as coach. After his passing in 2007, Evelyne assumed the role full-time, despite her lack of prior coaching experience.
To enhance her coaching skills, Evelyne pursued formal training. In 2015, she attended her first coaching course organized by World Football Coaches at Stima Grounds along Thika road. She earned her CAF D license in 2018 and a certificate in Sports Management from Kenyatta University in 2019.
“I realized that I have leadership skills and the ability to instruct, thanks to feedback from my colleagues and instructors during the coaching courses,” Evelyne told The Eastleigh Voice.
Evelyne has attended various significant events and achieved notable milestones throughout her career. In 2015, she attended a coaches' conference organized by Discover Football in Berlin, Germany. In 2017, she participated in the Discover Football Festival in India. In 2020, Evelyne led Team Kenya to win the Peace Cup in Seoul, South Korea. This team included talented players such as Keith Imbali, currently with Kariobangi Sharks, Said Musa of Mathare United, and Sylvia Makungu, who plays for FC Wacker Innsbruck in Austria.
Recently, Evelyne completed the Liverpool Train the Trainer Course in Nairobi, Kenya, and led Team Kenya to a third-place finish in the Homeless Africa Women’s Cup in Arusha, Tanzania.
Team Kenya has been invited to participate in the 2024 Homeless World Cup in Seoul, South Korea, under the country partner organization Vijana Amani Pamoja. Evelyne, serving as both the Sports Officer and a football coach, will lead the team to the world event as head coach.
“This will be my second time going to South Korea, but this time with an all-female team and a different competition. I performed well last time, and I strongly believe I will do even better this time,” Evelyne told The Eastleigh Voice.
Evelyne Anyango's journey from facing numerous personal challenges to becoming a top football coach is an inspiration to many in Kamukunji Sub County.
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