By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-01-25 06:00:00
At the age of 22, Judith ‘Crouch’ Atieno has made history as the first-ever Kenyan woman footballer to play professional football in Rwanda. Currently serving as a striker for Rayon Sports Women FC of Rwanda, she has showcased exceptional skills and made a significant impact on the team’s performance throughout the last season.
With an impressive record as a top scorer in the 2022/23 Rwanda Women Division One League, Judith scored 43 goals in just 21 matches and had 21 assists in the same season, solidifying her position as a key driver of the team’s success.
Her football journey began in Kasabuni, Ruaraka, Nairobi, where she was raised in a sports-oriented family. Her love for football started at the age of 12, and she played her first competition against Kayole Starlets, where she scored a brace for Mathare Women FC.
A product of Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA), Judith has previously featured for Ruaraka Girls and Aunty Babes Academy in Nairobi. In 2018, she won the Football Kenya Federation Division One League title with Mathare United Women, where she was the league’s top scorer with 37 goals in 30 matches.
Joining Rayon Sports on a one-year contract from Mathare Women FC in 2022, Judith has found a second home in Rwanda. After the expiration of her contract, she decided to extend her stay at Rayon for an additional year, aiming to contribute to the team’s success by scoring more goals.
Despite missing out on the national team’s final squad in the past, Judith remains optimistic that she will one day represent her country. Inspired by the talent and skill of Francesca “Fran” Kirby, Judith continues to work towards achieving her goals in the world of football.
Beyond her success on the field, Judith hopes to inspire other young women who aspire to be footballers, especially those who are also mothers, by showing them that they can balance motherhood and sports achievements.
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