Harambee Starlets forward Cynthia Shilwatso has joined Turkish Women’s First League side Beşiktaş United Payment Kadın Football Club.The 24-year-old has been training with Mathare United Women since parting ways with Ukrainian club FC Krivybas Women.The transfer was announced via a video posted on the club’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.Ailemize Hoş Geldin Shilwatso Cynthia Musungu 🦅 pic.twitter.com/EhsxI2a79Z— Beşiktaş United Payment Kadın Futbol (@BJKKadinFutbol) November 16, 2024 Shilwatso will become the second Kenyan player to represent Beşiktaş, following in the footsteps of Esse Akida.##NAJAVA_MECA_8507015##Akida joined Beşiktaş J.K. in 2019, making two appearances for the club in the Turkish Women’s First Football League before the season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.She later left the league in February 2021 and returned to Kenya.Shilwatso, a former Vihiga Queens striker, is set to make her league debut this Sunday when Beşiktaş, coached by Mesut Kır, face Fenerbahçe in an away match.##NAJAVA_MECA_8502153##In her previous stint at Krivybas, Shilwatso featured in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the Ukrainian top flight, registering 16 appearances and scoring seven goals across all competitions. Unfortunately, her career in Ukraine was cut short due to an injury.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Engin Firat’s game plan cost Harambee Stars 2025 AFCON berthIn addition to her time in Ukraine, Shilwatso has also played in Spain’s top women’s league with DUX Logroño and in Tanzania with Fountain Gate Princess.Shilwatso is the latest in a growing list of Kenyan players to have left their mark in international women’s football. Other notable players include:Lilian Awuor (ASJ Soyaux-Charente, France), Esse Akida (PAOK, Greece), Annette Kundu (Asteras, Greece), Christine Nafula, (Kayserispor Kadin Futbol, Turkey), Mwanahalima Adam, (Hakkarigücü Spor, Turkey), Marjolene Nekesa, (Sparta Prague), Ruth Ingosi, (Lakatamia FC, Cyprus) and Dorcas Shikobe (Lakatamia FC, Cyprus).Mary Kinuthia (IF Dalhem, Sweden), Jentrix Shikangwa (Fatih Karagümrük, Turkey), Lilly Awuor (Borussia Pankow, Germany), Elizabeth Katungwa(Sethu United, India), Terry Engesha (Hyundai Steel Red Angels, South Korea) have also had stints abroad.Zimbabwe coach puts huge tag on Michael Olunga while singing his praisesShilwatso made her senior debut for Kenya during the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualification campaign. Her standout performances at the 2019 CECAFA Senior Women’s Challenge Cup in Tanzania helped elevate her and the team to international prominence, as they secured their first-ever regional title.
