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The Harambee Starlets forward feels there is need to pass a strong message to the rest of the world regarding women’s football
Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida has explained that her celebrations are a reminder to the rest of the world to dispel the notion that the woman’s place is in the kitchen.
Akida, who was crowed champion with Greek side AC PAOK last weekend, has been celebrating her goals with a hand gesture that suggests she is stirring something, drawing mixed reactions among fans.
The forward feels there is need to encourage women footballers to take the sports seriously but that can only succussed if they are treated right and not looked down upon.
“Celebration huwa different but this particular one was a reminder to those who normally say place ya wanawake huwa jikoni,” Akida said via a Twitter post. “It was to tell them that we cook football too and we good at it. It was to encourage women footballers to pursue their hobbies.”
The striker is coming off a good season with PAOK where she bagged 12 goals as they won the title, her first league crown since going to Greece.
It was, however, 10 less than she managed last season when she bagged the Golden Boot Award but she recently attributed it to the quality of the division improving.
Akida signed off the season in style as she scored twice in PAOK’s 3-1 win over OFI Crete on Saturday, the Greek giants bagging their 18th title overall, having last claimed it in 2021.
"Cooked teams again this season, walked like a champion, and capped it off with a trophy," she said after Saturday’s win.
With the title win, the former Thika Queens attacker will feature in the UEFA Champions League for the third time in her career, although PAOK will have to navigate past the qualifiers to make the group stage.
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