Esse Akida

Esse Mbeyu Akida (born 18 November 1992) is a professional Kenyan footballer, who currently plays for PAOK in Greece, and is a member of the "Harambee Starlets", the Kenya National Football Team. Quotes I was drawn to the football pitch when I was eight years old. A journey inspired by my brothers who would allow me to go and watch them play football There are things you are going to hear and face that might demolarize your efforts but take each one of them with a positive mindset and let them be a motivation to the things you want to achieve. Keep going and keep believing that your continuous work will one day pay. Blessed new week. There, I played football and won multiple awards, including the Most Valuable Player title in 2011 and 2012 How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) In 2012, I competed in the Unicef/Moyas women's league for Matuu FC, a National Youth Talent Academy, where I finished second in the Golden Boot with 37 goals while winning the league with the same club How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) My brothers, who let me watch them play football, inspired this adventure. I was only permitted to use the ball after they had finished How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I never skipped a football practice. I am a good player and my mother came to watch me play once and has been by my side ever since. She is my biggest admirer How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) In my neighbourhood, girls were not permitted to play football or even spend extended periods outside the home How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) Gender equality, in my opinion, is essential to releasing women from all forms of culturally-inspired discrimination and oppression How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I was one of six players who had joined the organisation at its inception. I actively represented MTG in a variety of tournaments both within and outside of Kilifi and Kwale counties, including the Kenya Premier League, in which MTG participated in 2014. When I learned about MTG, a sport for development organisation that gives girls and young women in Kilifi more power, my hope was reawakened How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I thought by performing well, I would create more space for girls to play football, so I would feel confident when I left the field. There were over 9,000 girls playing football in Kilifi and Kwale Counties in 2017 compared to just 200 when I joined MTG. How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I am happy that girls are now encouraged to play football, attend school and pursue careers in our society. My mother's generation did not experience this. She had to work and take care of the home, and occasionally, they had to force her into marriage with an older man How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I was all too aware that there was life after football and that many football players found it difficult to adjust to life without education. How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I drew inspiration from great Kenyan footballers who successfully struck a balance between studies and sports, including former AFC Leopards strikers JJ Masiga and Gor Mahia offensive midfielder William Obwaka who were both medical doctors How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I hold the record as KeMU's all-time top score with 50 goals. I scored nine goals to scoop the Golden Boot as the top scorer at the 2015 East Africa University Games (EAUG) held at Uganda Christian University (UCU) How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I won the Golden Boot and finished as the tournament's top scorer with nine goals.  Meru County emerged victorious in the women's football competition following a 5-4 victory over a highly skilled Laikipia County on penalties How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) My participation in the Sakata Ball tournament in 2010 led to my later selection to the National Youth Talent Academy How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I signed a two-year contract with PAOK in 2021 and then extended it for a year. Thankfully, I excelled with the Thessaloniki team during the final stretch of my contract How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I won the Golden Boot during my tenure in Greece, scoring an incredible 17 goals in just 18 games How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I participated in the Rio Olympics qualifying match in 2015, where Kenya defeated Botswana 2-1 overall. We ultimately lost the two-leg match to Banyana Banyana of South Africa, 2-0 overall How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) My three goals against Benfica Portugal Women in the opening game helped the Kenya Harambee Starlets defeat their opponent 3-0. I scored two goals for my team in our 3-1 victory over Española in our second match. How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I will always treasure the match against Algeria when I came off the bench in the away game in Algiers and was credited with two assists that gave my team, Starlets hopes for the Awcon in a 2-2 draw. I still remember it very well. How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) In my free time, I like to watch movies and go out with friends. I rarely attend classes or the pitch. I watch and enjoy movies of all genres—horror, action, romance, television shows, you name it. I am not that picky. How Akida brushed aside stereotype to rise in women footballThe Star(19 September 2024 ) I don't know where the term rebel comes from. Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) I'm always ready to represent my country when needed Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) There's no greater honor than representing your own country of birth Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) I was always looking forward to being called back Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) I arrived in Europe when I knew what I wanted Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) I would urge upcoming players to have goals and be true to themselves for them to be successful in the game Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) As a player, my work is to listen to what the coach tells me Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) I think it's also the discipline in me that allows me to play in such a demanding environment Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) I don't want to get into the politics of football Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) The youth should take education very seriously Esse Akida: I'm no rebelMozzart Sport(October 03,2022) I am delighted to be back and of course being recalled means that my services are still needed. I am proud to be here with the girls and this is a chance that everyone would love, to represent their country Akida delighted with Harambee Starlets return, thirsts for WAFCON ticketCapital FM Kenya(September 19,2023) I have trained with them for a day and it has been a great venture. I am enjoying every moment of it of course with some of the new girls, some young players and we have interacted really well. The vibes are very positive Akida delighted with Harambee Starlets return, thirsts for WAFCON ticketCapital FM Kenya(September 19,2023) It has been a good experience (playing in the Champions League). It is always a tough and challenging experience but definitely one where you learn and experience new things. I am ready to replicate that back here home and help the team Akida delighted with Harambee Starlets return, thirsts for WAFCON ticketCapital FM Kenya(September 19,2023) We have trained very well and prepared adequately though some of us have had a shorter time. But I believe we are up to the task. I can’t wait and I am looking forward to a good performance and a ticket to the next round Akida delighted with Harambee Starlets return, thirsts for WAFCON ticketCapital FM Kenya(September 19,2023) Of course we want to qualify and that is why I am here. I am looking forward and hoping for the best. Cameroon is a team just like any other and I can’t wait to face them. The game will be decided by each of the two 90 minutes Akida delighted with Harambee Starlets return, thirsts for WAFCON ticketCapital FM Kenya(September 19,2023) I am at an age where my dream is paying so I will not say I want to play in Spain or England, I want to play where I will get resources and get paid well Forget England and Spain, I want to play where I will make money’ - Akida reveals her motivationPulse Sport Kenya( June 06,2023) At my age, I am looking at what I will get rather than what I will win or whom I am playing against. Forget England and Spain, I want to play where I will make money’ - Akida reveals her motivationPulse Sport Kenya( June 06,2023) Right now, I am enjoying football even more because I am doing what I love and it is paying me. I have also discovered myself, right now I have a purpose, goals and objectives. When I was young, I was just playing without a purpose. Forget England and Spain, I want to play where I will make money’ - Akida reveals her motivationPulse Sport Kenya( June 06,2023) It’s difficult to balance sports and education. I have had a very difficult time. I was to graduate around 2016, 2017 but I had to postpone it and ended up graduating in absentia because I am chasing this dream Forget England and Spain, I want to play where I will make money’ - Akida reveals her motivationPulse Sport Kenya( June 06,2023) I appreciate my parents made it happen. KEMU tried to build a women’s team. I had to transfer from Mombasa campus to Meru because I wanted to be actively playing Forget England and Spain, I want to play where I will make money’ - Akida reveals her motivationPulse Sport Kenya( June 06,2023) It is never easy out there, you have to adapt to climatic changes, culture and food Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida reveals what Israelis did to her that nearly saw her quit footballPulse Sport Kenya( July 19,2023) Being my first time abroad, I saw things from a different perspective. I saw things like racism that football players over there face. It was not easy but I had to learn through it Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida reveals what Israelis did to her that nearly saw her quit footballPulse Sport Kenya( July 19,2023) I experienced that (racism) so bad but when you’re new to these people and they don’t know what you can give, they tend to frustrate you to bring you down but I thank God that I managed. Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida reveals what Israelis did to her that nearly saw her quit footballPulse Sport Kenya( July 19,2023) It wasn’t easy, I underwent one or two challenges which I do not want to mention but the normal ones you could say are abuses, the coach could prefer someone else over you but I went through them because I was determined, I knew I went there for a certain goal Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida reveals what Israelis did to her that nearly saw her quit footballPulse Sport Kenya( July 19,2023) I was almost giving up but the people I would share things with would be like; ‘This is what happens out there, be strong.’ I thank God it was not that bad but at some point, there is this incident that happened that broke my heart so much Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida reveals what Israelis did to her that nearly saw her quit footballPulse Sport Kenya( July 19,2023) There was this American that had joined the team and my club manager asked me to leave the room for that lady to come in. It broke my heart because as a player, I felt wherever they wanted me to go and stay wasn’t suitable but I took it in and maneuvered Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida reveals what Israelis did to her that nearly saw her quit footballPulse Sport Kenya( July 19,2023) My first target in this team is to see to it that I get regular playing time and then secondly, I want to win the league title. It has been my dream always to win a title and with Besiktas, we have a chance. With that, we will qualify for the Champions League and this will be a dream come true for me Akida eyes Champions League with BesiktasCapital FM Kenya(February 20,2020) I have been here for a week now and to be honest it is a brilliant experience for me. The facilities are brilliant and the training is so intense. The tempo in training and the seriousness these people treat their football is just amazing Akida eyes Champions League with BesiktasCapital FM Kenya(February 20,2020) I love it here. The good thing is that we are on the same time zone with Kenya so I didn’t have a lot to adjust to. The food is always almost the same with things back home but now here, you have to watch everything you eat because the club is very strict on diet. There’s a club hotel so most of the time, you can have your lunch or dinner there Akida eyes Champions League with BesiktasCapital FM Kenya(February 20,2020) We have two sessions a day; the first one in the morning is individual training so it is up to you to decide whether you need it or not then we have the main one in the evenings at 7pm Akida eyes Champions League with BesiktasCapital FM Kenya(February 20,2020) But it is not all easy though because most of the players are Turkish and they speak their language so that is one of the things I have to learn. I also have to learn how to pronounce their names (laughs), but I am getting better Akida eyes Champions League with BesiktasCapital FM Kenya(February 20,2020) Another thing that’s a challenge is the weather. It is winter here so I have to adjust, train with a lot of layered clothes, but I will get used to it eventually Akida eyes Champions League with BesiktasCapital FM Kenya(February 20,2020) They watched some dance celebration I did in a past match and they have been telling me every day to repeat it. They are amazing people. They welcomed me to the club with open arms and they have made me feel at home and comfortable Akida eyes Champions League with BesiktasCapital FM Kenya(February 20,2020) It was a really nervous time for me to be honest, but as always patience pays. I thank my management team because they worked so hard for me to get a good club. Now the challenge is on my end to work hard and perform well Akida eyes Champions League with BesiktasCapital FM Kenya(February 20,2020) It would have not been practical for me to travel to Uganda and come back fresh for the exams so I didn’t have much of a choice. But despite my absence, I know that the team is capable and they will bring back good results Exams lock Akida out of Uganda return legCapital FM Kenya(April 06,2018) I am incredibly excited to become a member of PAOK's women's team. I had heard about the team when I was playing in Turkey. My dream is to play in the Champions League and I believe I will make it happen here. Kenyan star Esse Akida unveiled at Greek giants, FC PAOKPulse Sport Kenya(August 15,2021) I will make the dream of the Champions League come true with the Club. I know there are big names in the event but nothing is impossible. We can shock some teams Kenyan star Esse Akida unveiled at Greek giants, FC PAOKPulse Sport Kenya(August 15,2021) I like the football culture that PAOK stands for, it is something we watch and read about often. I know that my adaptation will not be difficult because we all speak the language of football. My only goals are to help the team achieve its goals Kenyan star Esse Akida unveiled at Greek giants, FC PAOKPulse Sport Kenya(August 15,2021) I am excited and happy about the fact that I continue to be a member of the PAOK Family. I want to thank the President, Mr. Athanasios Katsaris, the Management, and the coach, Lefteris Kanata, for their trust. I wish you the best in the new season, hoping we continue to live important moments, and even more beautiful ones. Let's go PAOKARA Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida extends stay at Greek champions PAOKMozzart Sport Africa(July 10,2022) Since my arrival in Greece, I have fallen in love with the people of Thessaloniki Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida extends stay at Greek champions PAOKMozzart Sport Africa(July 10,2022) The fans, the management, and the team have made the country my second home Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida extends stay at Greek champions PAOKMozzart Sport Africa(July 10,2022) Inking a new deal with PAOK was all I wanted. Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida extends stay at Greek champions PAOKMozzart Sport Africa(July 10,2022) I can't wait to see what the future holds. Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida extends stay at Greek champions PAOKMozzart Sport Africa(July 10,2022) I am excited and happy about the fact that I continue to be a member of the PAOK Family Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida extends stay at Greek champions PAOKMozzart Sport Africa(July 10,2022) Of course I am very much open to playing for the national team if called upon. I am still an active player and it is just that I am yet to pick my next team but I am very much available. I haven’t even thought about retirement. I am still working on getting a new team and I have been doing my best to keep fit as I wait for the best opportunity I am still available to play for the national team- Esse AkidaCapital FM Kenya(March 06,2025) Yes, I am going back soon. I have received several offers but I am still taking my time to pick the best solution for my future. If I was to pick anything that came my way, then I would be playing now. But I have goals, ambitions and dreams and my next team must align to these. It is just a matter of time and I will be able to make my next move I am still available to play for the national team- Esse AkidaCapital FM Kenya(March 06,2025) Many of our athletes, both men and women, have gone through difficult experiences due to a lack of awareness and education Ex-Harambee Starlets star Esse Akida urges women’s empowerment to fight GBV in sportsCitizen(April 29, 2025) Some of our biggest names in athletics have achieved international success, but return home to face gender-based violence. That’s why we’re here in Kwale—to educate and empower. Ex-Harambee Starlets star Esse Akida urges women’s empowerment to fight GBV in sportsCitizen(April 29, 2025) It’s time for every stakeholder to step up, invest in sports, and support our youth Ex-Harambee Starlets star Esse Akida urges women’s empowerment to fight GBV in sportsCitizen(April 29, 2025) This goes beyond the game—it’s about protecting lives and creating opportunities Ex-Harambee Starlets star Esse Akida urges women’s empowerment to fight GBV in sportsCitizen(April 29, 2025) I always love to listen to feedback from the people and from last year the feedback I got was the we should separate the men’s tournament from the women’s tournament. I decided to go further and make it a full 11-a-side tournament and I am delighted that we could pull this off Holders Blue Blue battle into Esse Akida Foundation tourney semisCapital FM Kenya(December 27,2024) When I was growing up here, there was nothing like tournaments especially for girls. I want to offer my community such a platform because I know how much it means to them Holders Blue Blue battle into Esse Akida Foundation tourney semisCapital FM Kenya(December 27,2024) My dream has always been to play football until I can’t play anymore. After a tough period juggling between the health of my old man and my career, I feel I’m in a good mental space to continue again Esse Akida returns to active football, joins KWPL side Kibera WomenCitizen(October 14, 2025) I’m really happy to join Kibera Soccer Women FC and to be back playing in the Kenyan Women’s Premier League. This is more special because I'm reuniting with Coach George Robert Okello, someone who has played a big role in my football journey Esse Akida returns to active football, joins KWPL side Kibera WomenCitizen(October 14, 2025) This is another chance to show them that with hard work and belief, anything is possible Esse Akida returns to active football, joins KWPL side Kibera WomenCitizen(October 14, 2025) After a tough period juggling between the health of my old man and my career, I feel I am in a good mental space to continue again Akida’s return ignites hope for Starlets and Kibera Soccer WomenThe Star( October 21,2025 ) My dream has always been to play football until I cannot play no more Akida’s return ignites hope for Starlets and Kibera Soccer WomenThe Star( October 21,2025 ) This is more special because I am reuniting with coach Okallo, someone who has played a big role in my football journey and truly understands my game Akida’s return ignites hope for Starlets and Kibera Soccer WomenThe Star( October 21,2025 ) I believe we can achieve great things together Akida’s return ignites hope for Starlets and Kibera Soccer WomenThe Star( October 21,2025 ) This is also a chance to inspire young girls who dream of playing football and making a career out of it Akida’s return ignites hope for Starlets and Kibera Soccer WomenThe Star( October 21,2025 ) External links Esse Akida Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Football (soccer) players Category:Women from Kenya Category:Women in sports