To many Ugandans following women football with a keen interest, the name Jean Sseninde will re-echo aloud across their outer pinnars through to the inner ear-drums.
Born and bred in Kampala to Kizza and Rosemary Sseninde, Sseninde junior, nick named ‘Jean foot’ studied at Gayaza High and St Mary’s Kitende before 2012 when she left for the United Kingdom.
Now featuring for Queens Park Rangers Football club in the English Women Premier League, Sseninde vividly recalls her humble beginning;
Way back at home, I always wanted to play football with my brothers and when the headmistress at Gayaza high school introduced women soccer, I was among the first to show interest
It was a dream for the 22 year old to play football even though she lived in a male dominated environ at home.
“While still at Gayaza High school, i realized i wanted to take my career to a higher level, so I joined St Marys Boarding secondary Kitende for my A level which was an active women soccer school” she recounts.
For her exceptional leadership and outstanding abilities on the soccer turf, she was appointed team captain and sports prefect, winning the district and other competitions along the way.
UK Calling:
Upon completion of studies at St Mary’s Kitende, she landed an invite to Charlton Athletic Women Football Club in the United Kingdom.
After a brief spell, Pheonix Ladies Football Club, a team in the second division tier of the English Women Football League signed her.
After three glorious seasons, the bigger opportunity landed in her midst as QPR Ladies team of the English Women Premier League expressed open interest, a chance not even a saint could resist.
It is something i describe as one of the better achievements in my career so far. I had worked hard for this all my life. I won’t say it is the best because i still have much more, i want to achieve but I have never been happier with my soccer than I am now.
Big Inspiration:
At a stage when Uganda has just held just one successful season of the Women National League, Sseninde remains a big inspiration to young girls who would wish to trend her path.
She admits, it has been a journey, full of believe and hard work and never a direct strategy as many would envisage;
I have worked hard for this my whole life and would never have been better if I had not continued with the hard work. Am grateful to God for that. Everyone has to work hard and believe in themselves. Have confidence and hope. Otherwise without belief there is no need to do anything. So my greatest advise is no need to rush, young girls should be patient and not be deceived that playing out of the country is the only way to be successful, we can all be successful no matter where we are playing , we just need to give our best and learn as much as we can from the coaches
Sseninde loves her birth country at heart and closely keeps track of everything happening back in Kampala and other towns – thanks to the dot com epoch.
“Of course the nation is on track with the women elite league, I am the number one supporter of the league, I always follow it even when am here (U.K), I love the the elite league so much, that is the best thing the nation has done for women football beecause we have to start to get some where, and the elite league is one way to show that we have started as a nation and if we get more funds and sponsorship injected”
She believes Uganda has abundant talent.
“It is only the belief in the running elite league and have the right people to manage the league that will ensure its’ consistence for many more years or even for it to even get bigger and better” she reasons.
The defensive midfielder cum defender proposes soccer clinics for young girls among other structures can help the girl-child pick interest in the game.
She also encourages many girls to take upon football and change the mentality it is only a sport for the males.
“Girls can still unleash the beast in them and still remain beautiful, never get scared to get involved in soccer thinking you will get dumped, soccer is not only for the tomboy girls, you can still be involved and remain focused, strong and beautiful women” she advises.
On a chance to feature for the Uganda Crested Cranes team, Sseninde easily outlines she has to first compete and prove she is worthy a slot on the team than being admitted to the team for her status –quo of playing professional soccer in a top women league in Europe.
No doubt Sseninde remains a big role model to many young girls in many Ugandan villages and towns.
Who knows…? Her break-through could be a big opening to the talented Ugandan women footballers.
