By Anderson Ojwang
Confidence breeds success and opportunities. Perseverance and commitment deliver victory, and discipline yields glory.
This aptly describes the fulfilling journey of Kenya’s Harambee Stars Junior U-17 midfield maestro, Mwana Kombo Bakari, one of the key figures in Kenya’s success story in women’s football and finally qualifying for the U-17 World Cup.
The 21st Edition will be played in Qatar from 19th November–13th December 2026, with Portugal as the reigning champions.
For Bakari, the journey has just started, and the future is in her palm to make blossom and write her own story.
Family football team
Bakari started playing football at the tender age of six and, because she came from a big family, the children from the larger family were enough to form a team.
“I started by playing football with boys. We had no girl team playing football and I opted to train and play with boys. I became part and parcel of the team,” she said.
She was inspired to play football by her elder brother, who then played for a local football club in Diani, Kwale, Kiboko Football Club.
“Inspired by my brother Mwana Kombo Bakari, at the age of 10 I started playing for the local boys team and participated in the junior cup,” she said.
At ages 10, 11 and 12, she played in the junior cup, but at age 13, she did not play after she suffered a dislocation.
Self-Coaching
Bakari did not have the opportunity to enjoy the service of a coach but undertook self-coaching to achieve her dream in football. Her brother became her coach and guided her when he had time.
Football earned her a scholarship in junior school and now has opened a bigger gate.
Nearly gave up
Bakari said after the dislocation, she nearly resigned from playing football completely.
“I started asking myself tough questions whether it was worth to play football and whether it has future. I was sad that during the period I had injury even my teammates never came to visit me.
But the encouragement by my parents helped me push through and today, I can say it was worth the pain,”she said.
Never played primary school games.
Bakari only played for her primary school team once because the management of school games declared that her talent was above the rest.
“I could singly handedly demolish a team and I could score 10 goals. I was informed that because I was a professional I count not participate in the local primary school games,” she said.
But at the ages of 14 and 15, she played for Diani Soccer Club, and that is where she was scouted by the national coaches.
Spotted
Coach Anne Aluoch spotted her during a friendly match at the Coast and informed her that she would be invited for a trial for the under-17.
**“I didn’t know that U-17 existed. But my father while in social media came across my name in the list of the provisional squad.
At night we received a telephone call from the team manager Betty Anyango. For the first time, I travelled outside Mombasa and founds myself in Kasarani International Stadium for the camp,”** she said.
Camp at Kasarani
At the camp, there were three sets of teams for trials, with the first being the ones that had been playing for the national team. The second set was those who had participated in various tournaments, and the last were the unknown.
“I found myself in the second category and after three days of training I found myself in the first team and that is where the story begun to date,” she said.
Qualifiers
Bakari played in all the qualifying matches for the World Cup. In the final third, the Starlets overcame South Africa 2-0 away and 3-1 at home to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
Meet President
Bakari was among the Starlets who had a State House breakfast meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, with President William Ruto.
“Visiting State House and sharing moments with the president was a dream come true and one of the best moments of my life,” she said.
Scholarship
Bakari, who was until recently a Grade 10 student at Mwaroni Junior Secondary School, was scouted by Spire Academy in the USA.
Mr Isaack Kwoba, chairman of Kakamega Green Commandos, said Bakari and another player were scouted during Kenya World Cup qualifiers against South Africa in Nairobi.
“It was during the match that she was spotted and we embarked on the paper work. And last Saturday, she was able to fly out to join the academy to start a newb life,’ she said.
Parents pride
Mr Ndiro Bakari Ndiro said it was an emotional moment to witness his daughter board an aeroplane to the USA and that it was a milestone.
“We as a family are grateful to all those who made this opportunity come to be a reality. The National team coaches, the school and Mr Kwoba. We are humbled,” he said.
