Kenya national women’s football team striker Violet Nanjala has laid out bare her dream of moving to Europe and playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, as she ponders on her future.
For the last three seasons, Nanjala, formerly with Vihiga Queens in Kenya, has been playing in Morocco for the last three seasons with Association Municipale Féminine (AMF) du Football Laayoune. She has been a star at her club, scoring 20+ goals in each season.
This season, she finished as the league’s top scorer with 28 goals, and also made history in the Moroccan top flight becoming the first player to score seven goals in a single match. She did this in the final match day of the season when her team beat CSST 12-0 to cement their fifth place finish in the standings.
In her first season, she hit the back of the net 23 times and had 20 goals to her name in her second season. The just concluded campaign was a stellar one for her and has now opened up to a bigger dream, playing in Europe.
She wants to follow in the footsteps of fellow Harambee Starlets players who have graced the Women’s Champions League like Marjolene Nekesa who is currently starring for Czech top tier side Slavia Prague, and Esse Akida who played in Greece with PAOK.
Nanjala’s football career has always been promising, having been a star figure straight from High School and up until she made her professional debut with Trans Nzoia Falcons where she scored 21 goals in her first year.
The impressive form saw her join then league champions Vihiga Queens where she played a starring role helping them to both win the league, and qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League for the first time ever.
And now, having conquered Africa, she wants to spread her wings into Europe. The 24-year old spoke exclusively to Telecomasia.net on her ambitions, dreams and desire to move into the next step of her career.
- It has been one of the best seasons for you in Morocco, finishing as the league’s top scorer. How was it?
- It was a really great feeling to finish as the top scorer for the second time, but this time with a higher number of goals. I was the top scorer in my first season as well. It was really a surprise for me because I didn’t start the league well. But the last three games were really vital for me because I scored two hatricks back to back and it lifted me.
Heading into the last game of the season, I had 21 goals, one behind the top scorer. I just wanted to go in and do my best and score and see where I would land and it got me the golden boot.
- You scored seven goals in one match, a huge feat and won the golden boot. Was it a huge surprise for you?
- In my entire career I had never scored these many goals in one match. But when I got into the game I was under no pressure; I just wanted to score and enjoy myself. But, my teammates were really amazing that day. They kept the hunt for me and ensured I had scored. Anyone would get the ball and look for me because they wanted me to win the golden boot. It was so amazing for me and it left a lasting impression.
- You said that you didn’t start the season well. What exactly was the issue?
- We had a new coach coming in and definitely when a new coach comes, he brings in a new system, a new way of play and philosophy. It really took us all as a team time to adjust to the new system and way of play and we ended up struggling. I struggled a bit because I needed to understand how the coach wanted me to play and move and that’s why I didn’t score a lot in the early stages. But once we all got to understand what the coach wanted, it became easy.
- What was your motivation this season, especially after difficulty at the start?
- It was just personal motivation. I wanted to challenge myself to score in every game and this is what kept me on toes. My target was to score 20 goals and I am really proud that I could surpass that number. Every time I scored, it gave me a push for the next game and when I didn’t it was a challenge to try and do better.
- You have been in Morocco now for three years. How can you describe the Moroccan league?
- It is a very very tough league. Each and every team is competitive and you can never expect an easy game or easy win. For example, the team we beat 12 was only beaten 4-0 by the league champions. So it tells you that every game is different and the dynamics keep changing. You have to work for every point. That is what makes it unique. Overall, everyone has to work hard.
- Was it tough for you to settle in considering it was your first time ever to play outside the country when you initially moved?
- When I signed, they gave me a month just to settle in, get used to the country, the food, the people, etc. But surprisingly, I caught up quite fast because I found really nice teammates who helped me settle down, they showed me around and made me feel comfortable. We really understood each other well and quite fast and that is why I performed really well. I didn’t struggle a bit.
- How much would you say you have grown since moving to Morocco?
- A lot. I see a lot of improvement in my game, my scoring, and all round. The Violet of 2021 is not the same Violet now. I have been growing year in and year out and I am a totally different player now. In terms of scoring, awareness, positional play, defending and all, I have improved. I have worked under three different coaches and all have helped me improve in one way or the other.
- After three seasons in Morocco, what does the future hold for you? Will you remain in Morocco or you are seeking a new challenge?
- I have enjoyed my time in Morocco and achieved so much. At the moment, I have yet to decide about my future. Maybe it is time for me to move on, I don’t know yet. But, my ambition is to play in Europe and measure myself up in the Women’s Champions League. The same way men dream of listening to the Champions League anthem is the same for me. It has been my ambition and I believe I am ready for it if an opportunity comes my way.
