Harambee Starlets striker Esse Akida has dedicated her debut UEFA Women’s Champions League feat to her departed grandmother after the former Thika Queens star made her mark for PAOK sociring a hat-trick in a 6-0 routing of Anenii Noi of Moldova.
Akida came on as a second half substitute and immediately started her business, scoring her first goal on 59 minutes. She grabbed her second with just one minute left on the clock and went on to complete her hat-trick three into stoppage time.
She became the first woman from Kenya to feature in the UEFA Women’s Campions’ League, the first Kenyan female to score in the competition and the first East African, indeed African, to score a hat-trick on their debut.
“Even in my wildest of dreams, I couldn’t have thought of such a debut. That was for you grandma,” she posted on her Facebook page.
On Wednesday, the eve of her Champions League debut, she had announced her grandmother’s demise on Facebook and it was clear from her post that the two were very close and special to each other.
She had posted:” Grandma has rested.
“Words fail me but I can’t question God. You’ve been my prayer warrior. In everything that I have intended to achieve in life. You always told me to put it to God. You’ve always led almost all my prayers and blessed every move I made.
“You were the strength. The glue to our family. Our rock. I don’t know why you had to leave days to my Champions League debut; wherever you are I know you are down smiling because we prayed for this together.
“Rest easy nyanya. Sister Rukia has promised to take over the prayer mantle. I’ll do my best as promised. See you on the other side of life.”
Following an outpouring of congratulatory messages following her achievement, the gracious and classy footballer had a message for the fans.
“Can’t be able to reply to all your congratulatory messages but I’m humbled by the support you all have accorded me through this journey,” she told her fans.
“You are all amazing but first, the goal that will forever remain in the history… here!”
