From barefoot dreams to global stardom: Rise of Janet Moraa Bundi

When the history of women's football in Kenya is written, Janet Moraa Bundi’s name will not be left out.

Born on March 15, 1996, in Nyabisima village, Nyamira County, Moraa is the youngest in a family of eight, five sisters and three brothers. She was raised by her mother, Mary Kemunto, following the passing of her father, James Bundi Agwata.

Despite growing up in poverty, Moraa’s passion for football was evident from an early age. She played barefoot and often had to share shoes with her brother, Enock Bundi while representing her village team, Bogichora Starlets. But her determination saw her rise through the ranks, playing for Kisii Youth, Eldoret Falcons, Vihiga Queens, Yanga Princess in Tanzania, and now the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) in the Egyptian Premier League.

During her time with Vihiga Queens, she won the Kenya Women’s Premier League a record four times and was part of the historic squad that qualified for the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League in 2021.

Citizen Digital caught up with the 29-year-old, who dreams of playing in Europe, to discuss her football journey.

Citizen Digital (CD): Moraa, when did you first fall in love with football?

Janet Moraa (JM): I started playing in 2010 while still in school. My two brothers, especially Enock, were my biggest inspiration, as was my late father, who also played football. Unfortunately, my brothers couldn’t pursue football professionally due to a lack of opportunities, so I now represent them. Football is my life, I eat, drink, wear, and breathe football.

JM: I started at Bogichora Starlets in 2010, and then moved to Kisii Youth, Eldoret Falcons, and Vihiga Queens in the Kenyan Women’s Premier League (FKF WPL). I later joined Yanga Princess in Tanzania and now play for the National Bank of Egypt.

JM: My manager played a key role. The club was looking for a striker, and she sent them footage of my previous matches. They were impressed with my talent, and that’s how I secured the move. Many players get opportunities through their managers sharing videos of them in training and competitive matches.

JM: I was warmly welcomed and have settled in well. I’ve built a great rapport with my teammates, and I’m currently among the top scorers, having netted 18 goals in 14 matches. My goals have helped lift the team to fourth place in the 18-team league.

CD: You’ve played in Kenya, Tanzania, and Egypt. How do you compare these leagues?

JM: I can confidently say Kenya has immense talent. Many Kenyan players dominate the Tanzanian league, just look at Simba SC and Yanga SC, where you’ll find stars like Corazon Aquino, Jentrix Shikangwa, and Ruth Ingotsi. The same applies to Egypt. However, one area in Kenya lags is player welfare. If our players were paid better, we’d compete at a much higher level both in terms of performance and development.

CD: Playing in North Africa comes with challenges. How do you handle the language barrier and cultural differences?

JM: (Laughing) Luckily, I found Ugali and Omena here, so food is not an issue! Being Kisii, I love bananas too, and they are available. The real challenge is the language barrier. Arabic is the national language, and even though my Nigerian teammates speak Nigerian pidgin, it’s sometimes difficult to understand their accent. Fortunately, our team manager knows some English, which helps. I’m also learning a few Arabic words like Yallah (let’s go) and Kalas (training is over). I hope to improve over time.

JM: Winning the FKF Women’s Premier League title in the 2022-23 season was unforgettable. I scored a brace in our 2-1 win against Gaspo Women FC at Police Sacco Stadium on May 27, 2023, securing the title for the fourth time. It was extra special because we had lost seven key players to other clubs, including some overseas. I had to step up and carry the team on my shoulders.

JM: After winning the league, we travelled to Uganda for the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers. Unfortunately, I picked up a knock during pre-tournament preparations. I recovered in time, but on August 19, 2023, we lost 2-1 to the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in extra time. I was substituted just seconds before full-time, and that’s when they scored the winning goal. We were heartbroken, and the disappointment carried into our third-place playoff against Buja Queens, where we lost 1-0. It hurt deeply because I had dreamed of returning to the Champions League after our first appearance in 2021.

CD: What advice do you have for young girls aspiring to be footballers?

JM: Discipline and determination are key. Football isn’t easy, especially for girls. They should set goals and strive to improve every day. Even if you’re on the pitch for just 15 minutes, ensure you learn something new. Work hard, stay focused, and put God first.

JM: My professional journey has just begun. Egypt is not my final destination, I dream of playing for top clubs in Europe. With hard work, determination, and focus, I believe I’ll get there. Playing for the National Bank of Egypt is a great platform to showcase my talent and build my career.

JM: (Smiling) I don’t think this is the right forum to discuss that, but no, I’m not dating at the moment. Having a partner is great, but right now, my focus is on my career. That will come later.