Former PAOK FC forward Esse Akida has revealed that she is ready to play for the national women’s team, Harambee Starlets.

The experienced starlet has been overlooked for quite long now, but that, she says, does not take away the resolve of playing for the team in the future when called up.

“Of course I am very much open to playing for the national team if called upon. I am still an active player, and it is just that I am yet to pick my next team, but I am very much available.

“I haven’t even thought about retirement. I am still working on getting a new team, and I have been doing my best to keep fit as I wait for the best opportunity,” Akida told a local publication, also revealing her intention after leaving the Greek giants.

She also commended the Starlets U17 side, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time ever. She has called on the Football Kenya Federation to invest in the women’s team as it is investing in the men’s side.

“It was a hugely proud moment for all of us when the young girls made it to the World Cup. It shows that women’s football needs just a little support, a little investment to grow,” Akida further said.

“We invested a bit in the U17 girls team, and we showed the world what we can do. If this is done more, then the potential is immense.

“If the federation can give even 50 percent of the support they give to the men’s team to women, I believe we can go far. Our leagues are not sponsored or supported as the men’s, and we need just a bit of investment, and we will show the world that indeed we have a talented pool of women footballers in Kenya,” she added.

WAFCON dream

Starlets are on the verge of qualifying for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and she believes the girls can book a ticket based on how they took on Tunisia.

“Looking at the way we played away from home and got a result inspires a lot of confidence,”

“I am very proud of what the girls achieved. Of course I believe we can go back to WAFCON. We have a chance, and we have a good team, and I hope the Federation can give the team maximum support towards the second qualification round so that we can finish the job,” she added.

Kenya will face The Gambia in the final round of qualification after beating Tunisia in the initial stage.