BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
FKF Premier League side Talanta FC wants to build up from the opening league fixture win over Sofapaka to create a solid start to the 2023-2024 FKF Premier League season.
Talanta made history by becoming the first team in the FKF Premier League to hire a female coach.
“It came as a surprise to many, but it is doable. Gender should not be a barrier, what matters is the knowledge that you have and of course, performance. It is a wake-up call to other ladies that they can do it,” said Juma.
“I have the knowledge that the rest of the (men) coaches have, so what matters is how you are preparing the team. If you put yourself under pressure (of being the only female coach), then I think it will divert everything, but all in all, the preparation of the team is what matters.”
Jackline Juma who is an experienced coach made shockwaves by guiding Talanta FC to a 1-0 win over Sofapaka two weeks ago. The win was made sweeter because Sofapaka is handled by the most experienced coach in the FKF Premier League, Robert Matano.
“It is a good motivation for the players. Basically we discussed and said we are taking one match at a time, but we had an agreement that the first match we should get maximum points, which we did. So it gives us motivation moving forward,” she explained.
Talanta FC signed seven players from the Talanta Hela season one All Star team that won the Costa Daurada Cup in Spain earlier in 2024.
“Four players are already starters in the first team then three more are in the Youth team. But they are all gelling so well with the experienced players, so we have a great team,” added the coach.
Talanta also roped in Mustapha Oduor from Shabana FC, Bernard Odhiambo and goalkeeper Gabriel Andika from KCB, Emmanuel Osoro from Nzoia Sugar and Eric Otieno from Tusker FC. Kevin Owino also joined from FK Apollonia in Albania. Coach Juma says they have also changed their style of play to suit the quality of players signed. Talanta has a tricky away fixture against BIDCO United at the Thika Stadium on Saturday.
“All teams want to win and we are also preparing to win. BIDCO is a good side, but we are going for an outright win,” she concluded.
