17.01.2026 19:20
Eight players from six different African countries, who are part of Hakkarigücü, a team in the Turkcell Women's Football Super League, are not letting the effects of snow and cold weather disrupt their training these days. Kenyan player Vivian Nasaka Makokoha stated that she saw snow for the first time, saying, "I had never seen snow before coming here. I was surprised to see this much snow for the first time."
Eight African players from Hakkarigücü, one of the teams in the Turkcell Women's Football Super League, are sweating for the success of their team by adapting to the freezing cold of the city. Hakkarigücü, which retained a large part of its squad at the beginning of the season and added five players, three of whom are foreign, is currently in eighth place with 18 points from 14 matches played in the league.
BATTLE OF AFRICAN PLAYERS WITH THE COLD
The team includes Ghanaian midfielder Elizabeth Oppong and forward Elizabeth Owusuaa, Kenyan defender Vivian Nasaka Makokoha, Burkinabe midfielder Rasmata Sawadogo, Zambian right-back Lushomu Mweemba, left winger Martha Tembo, Cameroonian midfielder Kevine Ossol, and Nigerian forward Blessing Augustine Nkor, who are adapting to the cold weather conditions in the city where winter is harsh.
After recent heavy rains, the snow depth in the city has reached up to 2 meters in some places, and the African players, who have adapted to the freezing cold, are running for the success of the Hakkari team. The female football players, who are surprised by the heavy snow and come to training wearing hats and gloves, sometimes play games to enjoy the snow.
'I HAD NEVER SEEN SNOW BEFORE COMING HERE'
Nigerian forward Blessing Augustine Nkor expressed her happiness about being in the city and playing in Hakkari, saying, "The house I stay in and its location are very nice. The people are very good. I really like the traditional features of this place. There is just one problem, the weather is very cold. The weather conditions in my country are more normal, but we are professionals. This is our job. I have to adapt to wherever I go. There was a lot of snow 2-3 weeks ago. There were times I felt bad, but I am fine now."
'COLD BUT I HAVE ADAPTED'
Kenyan player Vivian Nasaka Makokoha stated, "If you are a professional football player, you have to adapt to the climate of all the countries you go to. It is cold here, but I have adapted. There is no problem at the moment. The people here are very kind and friendly. They treat us very well everywhere we go. I am very pleased with this situation. I had never seen snow before coming here. I was surprised to see that it snowed this much for the first time."