As she stood between the posts on the last day of the 2018 Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament, Judith Osimbo could not tell how many people had their eyes on her, but she now has an idea.
She dived left and stopped the shot and this helped Plateau Queens defeat pre-match favourites Tar Tar 4-3 on penalties, after the final played at the Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega had ended in a one-all draw.
“Once I featured in the national finals, I got so many phone calls from different Kenyan Women Premier League teams seeking my signature,” Judith said.
She bagged the award for the best goalkeeper in that tournament and was signed by Gaspo FC in the Kenyan Women Premier League. She has since gone on to play for Kibera Ladies and recently signed for Ulinzi Starlets, which is sponsored by the Kenya Defence Forces.
Nicknamed Didi, Judith kept three clean sheets in all competitions as she plays for the military outfit.
David Ouma was the Harambee Starlets coach in 2018 and he was impressed by her performance in Chapa Dimba.
“This opened doors into the senior national women’s team with which I won the CECAFA Women in 2019. It was fantastic,” Judith recalled.
In addition to progressing her football career, Chapa Dimba na Safaricom also provided her with a financial boost.
“Chapa Dimba held me start a business. I bought plastic chairs that I hire out, which has boosted me economically. The money has also helped me take care of my family. You know playing football is about making money, earning a living,” Judith said.
The 23-year-old mother of one began playing football aged six in 2007. She started off as a striker but later switched to being a goalkeeper. Through football, she got sponsors to pay for her primary and secondary education.
Judith also appreciated the involvement of girls in Chapa Dimba.
“Chapa Dimba was great for girls. A lot of time tournaments have girls as an afterthought which is demoralising. Chapa Dimba was inspiring in its fairness to both genders. Girls’ teams were same number as boys’ teams,” she recalled.
Osimbo also runs Future Stars, a football academy that now has close to 100 children in training.
Her plan is to retire from competitive football at 30, settle down and have a family, but before she does that, to play professionally abroad. Like Benson Omalla, who was also discovered through Chapa Dimba, football has opened doors. As the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament returns for season four she reflected on the opportunity it gave her.
“It has really opened doors. I feel it was God’s will. I have really succeeded. I love what I am doing and I am proud of myself,” said Judith.
