Starlets sensation Akida joins Israeli side Hasharon FC

Harambee Starlets forward Esse Mbeyu Akida says she is delighted after signing a lucrative two-year contract with Israeli top flight club Hapoel Morasha Ramat HaSharon.

The Thika Queens ace penned the deal on Thursday afternoon after successfully completing a 10-days trial with the club based in Ramat HaSharon along the Israeli central coastal strip.

Akida featured prominently in the Harambee Starlets squad that made history as the first ever Kenyan women’s side to qualify for an African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) Final in 2016.

In an exclusive interview with Citizen Digital, Akida said joining Hapoel Morasha Ramat HaSharon is a dream come true for her and vowed to continue with the hard work that has catapulted her career to new heights.

“I feel great; I am settled here in Israel and I hope I will impress more and more in my career because I want to keep progressing,” Akida said.

Akida signed for Thika Queens during transfer window in June from Spedag FC and becomes the fourth player from the country to go professional after Christine Nafula, Teresa Engesha and Mary Kinuthia.

“The club is offering me everything and it feels a lot like I’m in Mombasa because the weather here is cool,” she added.

Her immediate former head coach Benta Achieng congratulated Akida for the move and wished her all the best in her new challenge.

“Akida was one of my finest players so I have lost a key player. But I am very happy for her and hopefully this can be a challenge to other players to work hard.

“We as a club we will have to make few signings mostly in the striking department. We are looking forward to clinch the Women League this season.

Akida has 36 caps for the national team with 15 goals to her name.

Ramat FC which was founded 61 year ago, finished ninth in last year’s Israeli Women League and plays their home matches at the 4,300seater capacity Grundman Stadium in Ramat.