Jackline Juma makes history by becoming the first woman to coach a men’s team in Kenya’s top-flight league but still has to deal with sexism on the touchline.

It did not take long for Juma, who led FC Talanta into the new Kenya Premier League (KPL) season, to realize that not everyone welcomed his appointment.

“Things like ‘We don’t play women’s football’ were said from the other bench,” Juma told BBC Sport Africa about her second game in charge against Sofapaka. he said.

“And I said, ‘Oh, okay. But let’s leave the decision to 90 minutes.'”

Juma’s side ran out a 1-0 lead to silence their critics.

“Of course we didn’t shake hands after the game,” he said.

“Winning three points against a very experienced coach gave me the motivation I needed to continue.”

A Sofapaka official did not respond to a request for comment on the incident.

Juma, a 38-year-old mother of two, started coaching more than two decades ago and now holds the Confederation of African Football’s A license (the second highest badge offered on the continent).

He cites Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta as his inspirations on the bench and aims to implement a dominant possession-based style.

Although she was a trailblazer for other women to follow, she didn’t initially consider her August date from a gender perspective.

“To me, I thought that was normal,” he said.

“It wasn’t until they told me it was history that I realized it was a big deal.

“Gender should not be a barrier. I told myself that they would judge me based on what I do, not because I am a female coach.”