FIFPRO is extremely disappointed to learn that internal politics continue to bar the players of Kenya women’s national team from participating in what is undoubtedly one of the most important matches in their careers.
To the dismay of the team, its key qualifying match against Uganda was suspended by CAF earlier this year after the Kenya football federation decided to withdraw the women’s national team for reasons that have nothing to do with the players.
Following the confirmation by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that the decision of the Kenya Football Federation was to be annulled, CAF has informed the Kenya women’s national team that the game would not be rescheduled given that in the meantime FIFA has suspended the Kenya Football Federation.
The match is the team’s only path to both the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations and the 2023 FIFA World Cup and therefore potentially has huge benefits for both their individual careers and the development of women’s football in Kenya.
It is extremely sad to note that, once again, it is the players who are suffering most due to power struggles within football governance.