Harambee Starlets striker Cynthia Shilwatso excited after meeting David Beckham

Harambee Starlets striker Cynthia Shilwatso poses for a photo with fromer Manchester United and England winger David Beckham in Turkey on February 3, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Shilwatso, who joined Turkish Women's Premier League side Beşiktaş on a one-year renewable deal from Ukraine's FC Kryvbas in November last year, described the encounter as a surreal moment.
- "Although we didn't interact, meeting such a renowned player was amazing. It's a rare opportunity to encounter someone so famous in football," Shilwatso told Nation Sport on Tuesday.
Harambee Starlets forward Cynthia Shilwatso is ecstatic after meeting former Manchester United and England midfielder David Beckham in Turkey on Monday evening.
Shilwatso, who joined Turkish Women's Premier League side Beşiktaş on a one-year renewable deal from Ukraine's FC Kryvbas in November last year, described the encounter as a surreal moment.
"Although we didn't interact, meeting such a renowned player was amazing. It's a rare opportunity to encounter someone so famous in football," Shilwatso told Nation Sport on Tuesday.
She added, "Beşiktaş, sponsored by Adidas, hosted an event on Monday where Beckham was also a guest."
Beckham, currently the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City, is regarded as one of the best midfielders and free-kick specialists of his time. He won 19 major trophies and became the first English player to win league titles in four different countries—England, Spain, the United States, and France.
Shilwatso followed in the footsteps of fellow Kenyan striker Essie Akida, who previously played for Beşiktaş in 2022 before moving to PAOK in Greece, where she won three league titles the following year.
Since making her debut off the bench in a 2-1 win against Amed SK on December 23, Shilwatso has featured in four matches for Beşiktaş.
"I adapted quickly to the new environment. My goal as a striker is to score for my team, and if all goes well, I hope to renew my contract at the end of the season," said Shilwatso, who has also played for Fountain Gate Princess in Tanzania, FC Kryvbas in Ukraine, and EDF Logroño B in Spain.
Beşiktaş currently sits third in the league with 34 points from 15 matches, having won 11, drawn one, and lost three. They trail league leaders Fenerbahçe by five points and will host second-placed Fomget this Sunday in a crucial round 16 clash.
Shilwatso first made a name with Football Kenya Federation Women Premier League (FKF-WPL) side Vihiga Queens, winning three successive league titles in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
She also played a pivotal role in Kenya's 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers, scoring a crucial goal as Kenya secured a 1-1 aggregate score and triumphed 4-3 on penalties against Cameroon on September 23, 2023, at Nyayo National Stadium.
However, Starlets' hopes of making a second WAFCON appearance since 2016 were dashed after a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Botswana in the second round.
Under coach Beldine Odemba, Kenya will begin their campaign in the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers against Tunisia. The first leg will be played in Nairobi on August 21, with the return fixture scheduled for August 26 in Tunisia.