“I was inspired by my brother to play football' - Halima Imbachi

Halima Imbachi, captain of Kenya Academy of Sports, started playing football at the age of eight. She has shown her talent at the CAF U17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) and is benefitting from the experience of playing against her peers from the region.

“I started playing football when I was eight years old, hence I became a serious footballer in high school. It was not easy for me because of many challenges but what kept pushing me is discipline, hard work and my fellow players,” Imbachi said.

“My brother used to play so that pushed me because I was so interested in football. My home coach pushed me to do it better and train. Even myself, I didn’t believe I can play football.” 

She has set herself targets in the game: “My dream and my target is to play for my country Kenya in the women's team and as a professional player at club level.”

The CAF U-17 GIFT Tournament continues in Dar es Salaam with all matches live on CAF’s Official YouTube Channel, CAF TV.