Dylan Bettencourt
Like many girls on the African continent, Burundi’s Esperance Habionimana learnt to love football when she was growing up playing in boys’ teams.
Habionimana, the youngest player at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) at only 15-years-old, said there is a very simple reason behind not knowing about women’s teams.
“I played football but never knew there were women’s teams. I played in a men’s team with my brothers because I never thought there were women’s teams,” she told BBC Sport Africa.
Habionimana earned a spot as part of Burundi’s maiden Wafcon tournament and was grateful to take part, despite not being able to take to the field.
“I never thought I would ever get here. I have worked hard and I was very happy to be selected,” the midfielder said.
Habionimana, the youngest in a family of 12, was introduced to football by one of her brothers.
“I used to go out and play with my brothers. I always told them to wake me when they were heading out and we would go together,” Habionimana said.
“One day a lady who had a women’s team saw me playing with the men and asked me to join the women’s team. She came home and spoke with my parents.” But her mother did not support the idea.
“My mother would tell me she has never seen women playing football and asked why I was forcing myself to play,” she recalls.
Her mother’s doubts are understandable as Burundi’s women’s team played their first Fifa recognised match as late as 2016.
Burundi have however developed the game to a point where they can compete on the continental stage.
Habionimana plies her trade locally but has aspirations of showcasing her talent abroad.
“I hope that I can play my football beyond the borders of Burundi because you can’t be successful if you stay in one place,” the teenager said.
Image source: @Goal
