FC Talanta coach Jackline Juma during their pre-season friendly match against Kariobangi Sharks at Kenya Utalii College Sports Club on Monday.
Seventeen Football Kenya Federation Premier League games played; four won, five drawn and eight lost. Lying 15th on the 18-team table.
That is the current season’s record of FC Talanta coach Jackline Juma who holds the distinction of being the first and only woman to be appointed head coach of a Kenyan Premier League side.
Other coaches, male invariably, have fared worse and Juma, named on August 10 last year in the historic appointment has seemingly settled well in the decidedly male-dominated environment, rolling with the punches.
"The players have responded well to my coaching, and overall, things are going smoothly," she told Nation Sport this week.
Talanta recently secured their fourth victory of the season -- and largest, a 4-2 win over AFC Leopards, helping them move above the relegation zone.
Juma, 38, did not attend this match, as she was away at the inaugural Cecafa Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) in Tanzania with the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) Under-17 girls' team.
"This win was crucial, and defeating a strong team like AFC is a bonus as we prepare to bring in new players during the January transfer window," Juma, however, remarked.
Talanta’s other wins are 2-0 against Mara Sugar, 1-0 against Sofapaka FC (1-0) and 1-0 against Ulinzi Stars.
They have drawn 1-1 with Bidco and Kariobangi Sharks and lost to Kenya Police (1-0), Murang'a Seal (1-0), Kakamega Homeboys (1-0), Shabana, KCB (2-1), Gor Mahia (3-2), Mathare United (2-0), and Tusker (3-1).
Now a veteran of 17 top flight matches, Juma knows exactly what she needs to do to get to the upper half of the table.
"The season started slowly. I joined after most signings were done. We need to recruit key players to avoid relegation," she said, highlighting the need for the acquisition of midfielders, strikers, and defenders, as well as a reliable goalkeeper.
Last season, under Kenyatta, Talanta finished 12th with 44 points. Juma is aiming much higher.
"We are aiming for a top-eight finish, which is achievable based on our performance," she said.
Has she encountered any discrimination in the Premier League.
"Players respect me, but some opponents doubt a female coach's capabilities. But, ultimately, performance matters more than gender."
Juma encourages more women to pursue coaching roles in men's teams, saying: "We should not shy away from opportunities due to gender. All it takes is belief and showcasing our abilities."
Talanta have been a handful to the more established sides in the league and have shown respectable attacking acumen. With 16 goals scored so far they are the ninth highest scoring team in the league.
Tusker coach Charles Okere believes that increasing the number of female coaches will enhance competition in the league, especially as many male coaches have succeeded with women's teams.
"Congratulations to her for making history in our league. Coaching is about ability, regardless of gender. She was among the top in our class “A” coaching courses both in theory and practicals," he said.
"I encourage her to stay strong against bullying as a female coach in a men's league. Coaching is teaching, and she should not be underestimated," Okere added.
Juma has the second leg to cement that.
