Aston Lukoye
- Kenyan striker Cynthia Shilwatso Musungu has signed with Turkish football club Besiktas.
- She will make her debut against league leaders Fenerbahçe.
- Shilwatso is the second Kenyan to play for Besiktas, following Esse Akida’s earlier stint.
Kenyan footballer Cynthia Shilwatso Musungu has officially joined Turkish football club Besiktas in the Women’s Football Super League. The announcement was made on Besikta’s official website, confirming that Shilwatso will add her skills to the team for the ongoing 2024-2025 season.
Besiktas, currently ranked 5th in the Turkish Premier League, will see Shilwatso make her debut when they face league leaders Fenerbahce in an away match this Sunday. The club welcomed her with a statement, expressing their excitement for her to wear the Besiktas jersey and wishing her success in this new chapter of her career.
Shilwatso becomes the second Kenyan player to represent Besiktas, following Esse Akida, who joined the club in 2019. Akida made two appearances for Besiktas before leaving due to the COVID-19 pandemic and returning to Kenya in 2021.
Before joining Besiktas Shilwatso had an impressive career with Krivybas in Ukraine, where she featured in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the Ukrainian top flight, scoring seven goals in 16 appearances. Unfortunately, her time in Ukraine was cut short due to an injury. She has also played in Spain with DUX Logroño and in Tanzania with Fountain Gate Princess.
Shilwatso’s move to Beşiktaş adds to the growing list of Kenyan players making an impact in international women’s football. Her journey includes a memorable senior debut for Kenya during the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualification campaign, and standout performances at the 2019 CECAFA Senior Women’s Challenge Cup, which helped secure Kenya’s first-ever regional title.
