Jane Njeri: Poll chaos scars made me rise

Falling Waters’ player Jane Njeri (front) is challenged by Limuru Starlets’ Winfred during the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Central Region girls’ final on January 19, 2020. Falling Waters won the match 3-1. PHOTO | POOL |

What you need to know:

  • 17-year-old diminutive striker reaps fruits of her hard work, not even the killing of her father during the mayhem, tough life in an IDP camp or poverty dampened her hopes

In every sporting team there is usually that one player whom other members depend on to steer them to victory when the going gets tough.

For Falling Waters Football Club from Laikipia County, that player is Jane Njeri.

During the recent Central Region Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament, the name of the 17-year-old girl was on everyone’s lips.

The short striker with a tiny frame was a thorn in the flesh for opponents during the two-day tournament. Njeri endeared herself to hundreds of supporters at Nanyuki Stadium with classy touches and brilliant dribbling skills.

Her pace, accurate passes, composure when handling the ball and clinical finishes were no match to other players. Njeri led her side in demolishing their rivals to successfully retain the girls’ title.

Against Karima Queens in the semi-final, Njeri was on fire. She found the back of the net four times when Falling Waters humiliated the Nyeri-based Karima 12-0.

The youngster continued with her brilliant display by scoring a brace in the final against arch-rivals Limuru Starlets on January 19. Falling Waters retained the Central Region title with an emphatic 3-1 victory.

Falling Waters players celebrate defending Central region Chapa Dimba na Safaricom girls' title on at Nanyuki stadium in Laikipia on January 19, 2020. They beat Limuru Starlets 3-1 in the finals. PHOTO | COURTESY |

Njeri scooped the top scorer’s award after scoring six goals for the second successive year.

Jane Njeri with the top scorer’s trophy after the tournament. PHOTO | POOL |

“Coming into this competition, my teammates really wanted to win the title again. They had promised to help me achieve that target, so I had expected to score eight or more goals,” Njeri said.

Her teammate and captain Miriam Lutomia was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Njeri traces her journey to stardom back to 2015, when she was a Standard Eight pupil at Mai Mahiu Primary School in Nakuru County.

Together with her mother, Monica Wanjiru and four siblings, they were forced to relocate to the neighbouring county after being displaced from their Eldoret home following the 2007/8 post-election violence. Her father was killed in the mayhem.

The traumatised Njeri continued playing football at Njabini Girls' Secondary School. In 2018, Falling Waters Secondary School spotted her talent and she was able to complete her education at the institution. He mother did menial jobs and couldn’t afford her fees.

“It was tough living in an IDP camp. The difficulties gave me morale to work hard,” Njeri said.

Apart from shining in inter-school competitions, Njeri was a part of the team that played in the 2016 Copa Coca-Cola competition. She scored five times to win the Golden Boot Award.

EXPOSURE

Last year, Jane Njeri made it to the all-star team that held a 10-day training session in Spain where she showed her prowess by scoring three goals in friendly matches against top football academies.
Falling Waters’ coach Emman Wafula said several clubs have approached the team, seeking to sign the player. “Harambee Starlets Under-17 approached us last year, but things did not work out, Vihiga Queens and other Kenya Women Premier League clubs have also approached us,” Wafula said.
As this year’s Chapa Dimba na Safaricom gets to the home stretch, Njeri is optimistic she will again make the all-star team that will travel to Spain for training.
She has set her sights on playing for foreign clubs and Harambee Starlets and to meet her role model -- Brazilian and Paris Saint Germain striker Neymar da Silva.