Mathare United Women’s captain Sharon Juma/ CHARLENE MALWA

For Mathare United Women captain Sharon Juma, leading the club back to the FKF Women’s Premier League is about more than football.

The defender became a mother during the Covid-19 pandemic, and now draws inspiration from having her child watch her compete at the highest level of domestic women’s football.

“It is beautiful to play knowing your child is watching and calling you mom,” Juma said. She is now tasked with providing leadership as Mathare adjust to life back in the top flight after four seasons in the cold.

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The Nairobi side made an impressive return with a 3-1 victory over four-time champions Vihiga Queens but suffered their first defeat last weekend, going down 1-0 to Kibera Soccer Women in a Nairobi derby.

Juma believes the defeat provided important lessons, particularly in front of goal, as Mathare prepare for a demanding run of fixtures against Kayole Starlets, Police Bullets and Ulinzi Starlets.

“We are not happy we have lost more chances than our opponents. We are on to the next one. This was a lesson, a learning step,” she said.

Mathare created opportunities against Kibera but were unable to convert them, an area Juma knows the team must improve as they settle into the Premier League.

“We take ourselves in each game as a final. We hope to give our best,” she added. Mathare earned promotion after winning Zone A of the 2025/26 FKF Women’s National Super League, ending a four-season absence from the top flight. For Juma, the return has also opened new opportunities for the players to gain exposure and showcase their talent.

She welcomed the growing media attention around women’s football, saying it has helped raise the players' profiles while also providing opportunities to play at better facilities.

“I appreciate the media making women’s football lively. Being showcased is what gets us out there, and we have even gotten to play on a good pitch. This is a good chance,” she said.

As Mathare embark on their first WPL campaign since 2021/22, Juma’s leadership will be central to helping the newly promoted side navigate the demands of top-flight football while balancing the responsibilities that come with being both captain and mother.