Kenya is set to host the second edition of the Africa Women’s Homeless Football Cup from Saturday, 28 to Sunday 29, 2025 June at the Vijana Amani Pamoja (VAP) Youth Empowerment Centre in Kamulu, Nairobi.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe fast-paced tournament, which brings together eight African nations, aims to spotlight both sporting excellence and social change, with this year’s focus being the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in informal settlements.A look into Kasarani Stadium’s newly refurbished VVIP lounge [VIDEO]The host team, coached by Everlyne Anyango, will feature eight players drawn from Nairobi’s informal settlements, including Mathare, Korogocho, Kibra, and Kawangware.The players have been training at Kiambiu grounds, determined to go a step further after finishing third in last year’s inaugural edition held in Arusha, Tanzania.##NAJAVA_MECA_8982613##Speaking ahead of the tournament, coach Anyango explained the selection process, noting that it is structured to give as many girls as possible a chance.“No player is selected twice. We prioritise new players from different slums for each competition to offer opportunities for experience, learning, and hope,” she said.Kenneth Muguna responds to critics after landing title with Kenya PoliceShe also made a heartfelt appeal to government and corporate stakeholders to offer financial backing for the event.“We plead with the government to come on board and support us in this journey by helping cover the tournament costs,” she appealed. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8982686##On her side, the team’s captain, Sylvia Diana, who hails from Mathare, says the players are fired up and ready to capitalise on the home advantage and win the title.“Preparations are in their final week, and the players are highly motivated. This year’s competition focuses on ending GBV, a prevalent issue in the slums. The program encourages open communication, recognising that GBV affects both women and men,” she said.‘They should be renamed Harambee Stars’- Kenyans on Harambee Starlets CECAFA performanceThe format of the tournament differs from traditional football. Games are played on a compact 22 by 16-metre pitch with teams of three outfield players and a goalkeeper. Matches are split into two seven-minute halves and officiated by three referees.Some unique rules include rolling the ball in instead of throw-ins, goalkeepers being restricted from leaving their area, and defenders being prohibited from entering the goalkeeping zone, or else, they risk conceding a foul.##NAJAVA_MECA_8982676##The event also serves as key preparation for the 2025 Homeless World Cup, which will be held in Norway from Saturday, 23 to Sunday, 30 June.Kenya debuted at the global event last year in Seoul, South Korea, finishing fifth after notching impressive victories over Switzerland (3-0), Sweden (9-0), India (3-1), France (8-2), and the USA (6-1), before bowing out in the quarter-finals following a 7(2)-7(1) penalty shootout loss to Egypt.FKF proposes return of 16-team KPL in a raft of league structure changesThis year’s tournament will feature eight countries: defending champions Uganda, Egypt, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and hosts Kenya.
