Representing your national team in a global competition is the highest honor any player can wish for. Making history with your country is even better.
In sports, a single year can make a vast difference, and for Susan Akoth, the contrast in her life and career is giving her a sense of optimism about her future.
Akoth, who featured for the Junior Starlets in their historic campaign in last year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, is now settling in at Zetech Sparks after navigating a personal storm.
ALSO READ: Kenya U17 put country on the map as Junior Starlets make World Cup debut against England
Representing Kenya in the country’s first-ever appearance in a FIFA tournament of any gender or age category should have fast-tracked her professional transition.
Instead, she was dealt a curveball, forcing her to defer her dreams as she struggled with the pressures of sudden fame and stardom.
Born and raised in Korogocho, Akoth revealed how difficult it was to integrate back into her community, which now viewed her as a celebrity and an easy target.
“After the World Cup, everyone thought I had a lot of money,” she said.
“Walking in the hood, everyone would ask me to give them money. It became dangerous for me to walk in the dark or at night, as some people targeted to rob me,” she narrated.
The Acakoro Academy product briefly played for Gor Mahia Queens before joining FC Talanta Women after the World Cup.
At the time, Talanta competed in the FKF Nairobi East County Women’s League. Her next move was to the FKF Women’s Premier League (KWPL) club, Zetech Sparks.
Akoth has since hit the ground running at Sparks, starting all matches in midfield. She debuted in the 2-1 win against Kisped Queens, playing the full 90 minutes and then featured for 60 minutes in game week two against reigning champions, Kenya Police Bullets.
Susan Akoth in action at the World Cup
“I feel proud and excited to be at Zetech,when you compare it with the league I played in at Talanta, the KWPL is more competitive. I expected to play regularly because I believe in myself, and my goal was to be a regular starter in the first eleven.”
The sharp contrast in quality between the two leagues (County League and KWPL) presented an initial challenge. “Pre-season at Zetech Sparks was a little bit hard for me,” she admitted.
“After the county league ended at my previous club, everyone went home, so coming here, I struggled to adapt in the first few days.
In the first match of the season, I was very excited, and I know that I gave my best.”
Now, Akoth believes the journey has just begun. She hopes to be part of the Kenya Under-20 Women’s National Team squad that will face Tanzania in the third round of the qualifiers in February 2026.
“My target is to score several goals, create scoring chances, and provide assists, I also hope to make it to the Under-20 squad.”
Akoth’s name will forever be remembered as a critical member of the squad that made history in 2024, securing Kenya’s maiden qualification for a FIFA World Cup Finals event.
To put the cherry on the cake, she scored in the final round of the qualifiers, a 5-0 aggregate win against Burundi booking Kenya’s place in the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup held in the Dominican Republic.
For “Madam Teacher,” as she’s known among her friends, we can only hope that her admission at Zetech molds her into a top level football graduate.