Streets Football Club

We’re back and we’re still black…and white. While I still stink at blogging, I have been waiting to write until I had something semi-exciting to report.

We’ve been going back full time for a few months now and from the start the bar has been raised from last year. In only our second week of playing we matched our skills against the best under-19 team in the country, literally, Thika United’s under-19 team.

We hosted them on Marist University’s beautiful pitch in, the Nairobi suburb of, Karen. Thika’s guys looked like American 17-19 year old athletes, big, healthy, and strong. They’d won the Kenyan Premier League under-19 tournament only the month before and looked really good. They beat us 5-1 but in all fairness it was still 3 -1 a good way into the second half when we missed a chance to bring it back to within a point by missing a penalty. At the end of the day it was about seeing where the best kids there age are so they can see where they need to get to.

At the end of June we entered a tournament happening in Ngong. Even though in this competition it is mostly adult teams taking place we have managed to win and tie two of our three games so far. Our first game the other team didn’t show, which is how we got the win. The second we lost but the third we tied 1-1. It was a team of twenty and thirty something guys and we were winning 1 – 0 until the last few minutes of the game when the referee made an insane call that gave them a free-kick right outside the box that they converted.

Last weekend we didn’t have a tournament game so played a local team of twenty-something year old guys that we won 3-0. The first goal was a bit controversial as it could have been offsides but we controlled most of the game. We especially dominated the second half as we got all three goals then and probably had about seventy percent of the possession.

I feel like the team is on the same pace as last year in the way that after some games they are starting to fall into their shape and rhythm. Hopefully they can keep it going into next month when we hope to take part in either the Manchester for Kibera or East African Tournament, which will be against kids our guys age.

Thanks for taking the time to support the team. If you’d like take a few more to meet who we have this year.




Eric


Games - 9
Goals - 6
Assists - 2

A total-footballler who has played well for us as a defender, midfielder and striker. As you can see by his goals and assists tally he excels as an attacker. He is also disciplined and has a good work ethic. Great prospects.

Titus


Games - 10
Goals - 1
Assists - 1

Our pass-master. Plays center midfieler, likes Manchester United and is a Scholes and Xavi type of player. He loves football, is good at football and wants to be a player, so he could be one that goes on to do big things in the sport.

Michael


Games - 10
Assists - 1

At 15 he is the one of the smallest player on the field but the one who has been commented on the most by spectators. He is a good dribbler and isn't afraid to try and take it past people. Says he wants to play like Evra but I'm trying to get him to play as a right midfielder. Has a good discipline and work ethic about him. Says he wants to be a pilot.

Ed


Games - 9

A natural center defender. Physically strong, quick and a leader on the field he could be compared to his favorite player Vidic. Likes football and wants to be a player, so is another one that could go far in the sport.

Ken


Games - 6
Goals - 1
Assists - 1

A really strong offensive player. Reminds me of a Brazillian player as he can make great passes while also being able to dribble past the guy in front of him with ease. He's really strong, has great control and overall is an exciting player to watch. Was one of two freshman to make his high school team this year.

Sam


Games - 10
Assists - 1

Though he is playing defense for us now he reminds me of a Vieira type player in the way he is long and lean but can dribble and pass. While he is one of our younger players, he has started every game. Wants to be a footballer and I believe could if he continues on.

George


Games - 5

Our goal-keeper. Has become our first team goalie and made the spot his to lose even though he is only fourteen. I hope he continues at the position as he has been getting stronger with every game. He works hard and is a good kid that we enjoy having in the club.

Mwangi


Games - 4
Goals - 1

A very exciting new edition to the club this year. I call him Nasri because everything he does reminds me of him. He's a regular first eleven player who has made the left midfield position his. I am geniunely entertained whenever I watch him. He can dribble, pass, keep his position, and uses his space brilliantly. At only 15 he is definitely one to watch.

Esho


Games - 9

"Maasai", our new right back. He is strong and fast and could probably play two games back to back without getting tired. Will soon start training to be a long distance runner with a professional marathoner who trains in the area. Good kid, great work ethic.

John


Games - 2

Another new edition to the team. He's only fourteen so is not yet a regular on the first team but it will only be a matter of time. Technically he can do everything the older kids can, he just needs to grow and continue to show up.

PK


Games - 5

Don't let the face fool you he's a good guy. Plays left back for us. Good worker and help to the younger guys. Could be a coach one day.

Simon


Games - 4

Our right back in training. Good work ethic in the way he shows up to every practice. Still young but could definitely one day be a first team regular at the right back position.

Dutch


Games - 3

Another new edition to the team. A left back in training. Is still young but will definitely be a first team player soon as he seems to be a natural player and more importantly wants to play. A good kid with good potential.

Francis


Just joined the team, plays goalie.

(players whose pictures will be added soon: Mkasa, who has scored three goals for us, and Augustine, who has a goal and an assist)

LOCAL DERBY




First off let me apologize for being such a bad blogger. It takes me too long to get down what I want to say and publish new posts. I stink at remembering to take pictures. And it is not as engaging as the ones I’ve seen. But please continue to read as at least it is about exciting stuff.
Kenyan Streets Football Club is the new top youth team in Ngong Town.
Until now the, unofficial, holders who all the best youth in town played for was a team called Hillside. They also have been feared, by all the kids not on their team, because not only have they been around the longest but because they have the nicest equipment and play in Nairobi’s “little league”. They also have more followers than any other team around and in my opinion are very arrogant and rude as they always show up late, demand to play for inordinately long amounts of time, talk junk and try to take your stuff. For example the last time we played them they left with the whistle I’d lent to be used in the refereeing of the game.
Anyway I wanted our last game before taking a holiday break to be against them so we could end on a high note and, after the other friendlies play them when we were at our best. Proof that news of the match up, between Hillside and the new team of kids from Mathare with the mzungu coach, had been circulating through the football community of Ngong was evident in the big turn out of spectators on gameday.
Though I hadn’t expected them to miss such a big event I was still happy with the guys in the way they all showed up on time and ready to go. Before I knew it warm-ups and pregame stuff was finished and the ball was being kicked off to the starting whistle.
The first few minutes were back and forth with no shots on goal as the teams tried to get a footing in the game. Though in my opinion our mindset was better, as we were trying to connect passes and control the ball instead of just attacking blindly. They soon had the first chance with a shot at goal and began keeping the ball in our half.
At around the ten or fifteen minute mark Mkasa ran onto a bouncing clearance at about midfield. All of Hillside was forward and he had gotten about a foot ahead of the last defender. He’d stayed ahead of him in the race to goal and gotten the ball under enough control by the time they got into the box to sidefoot it comfortably past the outcoming keeper.
Hillside continued to get forward and got a couple more chances. We weren’t doing bad though and our passing was managing to give us some of the possession as well. With about ten minutes to go in the half we were going forward when a beautiful through-ball briefly put Mkasa one on one with the keeper. Just as beautiful as the pass, was how in two touches he managed to turn and rifle it past the keeper making it 2 – 0. It was a dogpile celebration as it had been a well-worked goal that gave them a goal cushion. However the linesman’s flag was up for offside. The ref went over to confirm the linesman was sure as his flag hadn’t gone up until after the goal. He said he was and the ball was called back. We remained one up as the whistle blew for halftime.
One of our guys, George, had to go for some reason at the half so we had to make a sub and formation change. I reminded them what had happened last time we were ahead at halftime. The guys went out with a determination not to let down.
In the second half Hillside’s chances would continue to get better. However, before too long on their defensive end they had a miscommunication between their goalie and a defender. The keeper had come out to the edge of his box to collect an errant pass only for his defender to take it at the last moment. Eric pounced on the mistake by stealing the ball and passing it back to Ken who was also on top of their dilemma. A neat chip over the fingertips of the backpedaling keeper put it back to 2 – 0 and made it seem like it actually could be our day.
Our defense was holding their attack to difficult angles and half chances, despite their now going forward with everything they had. Our passing was keeping it relatively comfortable for us as they started to tire. We got a direct free-kick on the edge of their box and their guys were so slow in getting back that by the time the whistle blew for it to be taken there wasn’t even a wall, making it open for Eric to have a go, which he did. His successful effort made it Streets 3 Hillside 0. After the goal a, hard to explain, almost awkward silence went over the players and crowd. I think our guys didn’t celebrate as much as they immediately thought the game was over, it was only Ken who celebrated with Eric as he jumped on him and pigyybacked back to half. I think their players, bench and fans were just in shock.
The subs were pouring in from Hillside’s half and their team started to get older and older. With about fifteen minutes to go they pulled one back. I didn’t help matters by getting a little cocky and making subs so more guys could get playing time. With about five minutes of regular time left there was another controversial call as the ref gave them a penalty. The handball had been clear but whether or not it had been in the box hadn’t. They converted and suddenly it was a game again.
Our guys had woken up and were doing everything they could to hold on to the end. The ref would add four minutes of extra time, which the other team would say wasn’t enough but I honestly don’t know how he came up with that much. It was nail-biting stuff as our guys were having to keep their heads and I could hardly handle it.
Finally the fulltime whistle blew and the 3 – 2 win was ours. It was happiness all around on our side and frustration from them, which sadistically made it happier for me as it proved they knew we’d been better though I knew they’d never admit it.
It was the best end possible we could have had to the year and the best start we could’ve made on next.
Win or lose I’d told the guys we would go out to eat, nyama choma, after the game. I’d told them to make sure they brought their parents or guardians along so we could all go and not only debrief together but meet as I’ve yet to talk to any of their folks. However all the adults disappeared after the game and the team just went. I told them they had done well and the date and time at the beginning of next month practice would start again.
Over the holidays we are going to try to raise more funds for the next year. Our goal is to start entering real tournaments and competitions. To do this we will have to travel into Nairobi as there is nothing like that in or around Ngong. So whatever we get for the next while will be going to travel and trying to do that.
I believe there are some who support the team through following this blog that would also like to help us be able to travel. Unfortunately, but probably understandably, PayPal doesn’t do biz with any banking institution in Kenya so you will have to give that through my folks who are currently in the States. Those of you who don’t know my parents can shoot me a message and we’ll see if there’s anything we can do. Big huge goal-like-celebration-thanks to everyone here that have helped us get equipment.
I read in a biography of my favorite football manager/coach Arsene Wenger a quote by him that said, and paraphrasing, how there comes a point in a persons career where to continue to progress they must have ‘that someone’ to come along and put a hand on their back to let them know they think they can do it too. So far these kids have flown to new heights with every push they’ve gotten and it is my dream that they continue to grow. I guarantee any support given will not be regretted as some of these kids are just really inspirational.
But anyway I’ll finally let you all go. Thank you for reading this post all the way to the end here and thanks for the comments of encouragement we’ve gotten. Continue to pray and think about us. And please give to the travel fund if you are able. We’ll be back next year to continue giving it our best! ☺ See ya then




Above: The trash area between Mathare and the field, which is about 20 yards behind me.

Friendlies

It’s been an interesting three and a half weeks here at the club. We’ve played three more friendlies, had a lot of practices and learned a lot.
Our second game was against a secondary/high school in Karen called St. Christopher’s. It was against their varsity team, who isn’t bad this year, so I was expecting it to be more of a learning experience for the team. Surprisingly enough at half time we were actually ahead 1 -0. The guys had played well and with a lot of energy and had scored after a through ball that put a forward one on one with the keeper. In the second half though St. Christopher’s woke up or some of their starters came in from the sideline where they had been hanging out or something and they got 3 quick goals followed by two more closer to the end of the half. There had been a good spirit and fight to the team though and the last two goals were the team getting tired after playing against older kids who’d also played more games.
That game had been on a Monday and on Saturday we went against a club team based in a little town not far from Ngong called Embul-bul. Young Talent FC have been around for the past few years and are the best youth team in the area, and have also had a lot of success in Nairobi. They are coached by Kaka, a great guy from the town who played in the Kenyan Premier League and has started this team as an outreach to the community. I’m thankful for having met him as he’s learned everything about youth tournaments in Nairobi, the rest of Kenya and even East Africa tournaments.
Anyway we played a mix of Young Talents A and B teams, which is about what we are, and again I expected it to be more of a good chance for the guys to see what a real team looks like than a chance to win. I didn’t say that to them of course though and they again went out and got the first goal. The other team quickly got it back though. Then before I knew it we’d given up two more and it was 3 -1. The kid I was talking about in the last blog, that I was scared had stopped coming, showed up a couple times in practice during the week, so I put him in. I looked like a genius as we soon got a couple great chances before he put one in and made it 3 – 2. That’s how it ended after a well-fought, goalless, second half.
While I hadn’t expected us to win those two games the losses weren’t any easier to take.. After I told the guys our next game was against Rosslyn’s JV again there was a real unspoken feeling amongst the club that we needed to get a result there to not be total losers. The intensity was definitely stepped up in practice as guys fought to get on the team that would go.
The team that went was one I really believed in as they were guys who have been with the club since the beginning, a couple additions from another team (who was never meeting) at about June, the guy I think has a lot of football potential and just guys who have really put a lot into it. As well as Daniel and Victor our two 12 year olds who have come with us to most of our games and that I will schedule under-15 games for. After our last practice before the game they said they felt like they would win the game. I felt like they were ready to put everything into it.
On game-day everyone was excited again and the pre-match spirit was good. But not long into the game Rosslyn scored a goal followed by another soon after. Neither of the goals was really a relflection of the teams overall play as they were just inexperience from our goalkeeper. The first he simply hadn’t dove for the ball but watched with the rest of us as the medium paced shot floated pass him, stupefying. The second was actually an own goal as he juggled an easy catch into the goal. 2 – 0 down at halftime the team walked off the field with the feeling of ‘here we go again’.
I told them to keep playing and quoted the philosopher Sylvester Stalone from the latest Rocky (which was number what, 5? 6?) saying that ‘life isn’t about how hard you can hit, its about how hard you can get hit and keep fighting.’ We also made a couple of tactical changes to give us more of an attack.
In the second half Rosslyn kept up the tempo but we really began to get the possession (with a few times where the guys connected about 7 or 8 passes in a row) and get chances. With about ten minutes to go George scored on a through-ball that put him alone with keeper. Then close to the end of regular time (the game had only been 60 minutes) good ol’ George (who the players now call Drogba) put in another one. We were cookin’ and wanted another one but the ref soon blew the fulltime whistle. The feeling was one of a win and it turned out to be a great result for the club.
For our next games we’ll be staying in Ngong to play the two other youth teams there for the claim to be the unofficial best team in town. If they can keep the momentum and keep passing I think they can do it.
Thank you for reading to the end and following the blog. Talk at ya next time

Friendlies

During the first couple months the team was starting, we played a few friendlies to gauge where the guys were in their football ability. After those very casual games it was clear they still needed to learn fundamentals not only pertaining to their skills but also in how they approached and played games. For example they were very lackadaisical in the way they just walked out there and let whatever happen happen, which was letting the other team do pretty much whatever they wanted. They weren’t thinking about what they needed to do in the position they were playing or about getting a good result.
Since May we have been learning those things by practicing and playing amongst ourselves without any contact with other teams. I feel like during that time they have grown. From learning to keep their foot straight when they pass to going into a game with the desire and confidence that they can win it, I believe they are ready to be tested in real games against other teams.
We started this campaign of seeing where they are now at last Thursday against the junior varsity team of Rosslyn Academy (a school in Nairobi). While Rosslyn won the match 1 – 0 the teams showing was much more positive. Actually the main thing that kept them from getting a draw or a win was an oversight on my part in that I hadn’t taught them the offside rule. I had just ASsumed they knew it. But they didn’t and not only did being offside cost them literally about twenty attacking opportunities it caused the defense to stay back and allow Rosslyn’s offense to come at them instead of staying on them and preempting attacks.
While most spectators of the game probably came away noticing a few individuals on the team, because of some good individual performances, I feel positive about the first game because the guys know what they have to do for the team to be better. And they’ll get the chance to do those things in our next game, which will be this Monday in Karen against a school called St. Christopher’s. So keep the guys in your thoughts and prayers as that approaches. I know they are encouraged by your following their progress here on the blog, so keep reading also (and start commenting).
And one more thing. There is a kid who recently moved to Ngong and a little over a month ago started joining us. He is 15 and has played before on teams in the various places he has moved to in and around Nairobi. Anyway his skill very nearly made me weep for joy, I mean it was truly beautiful. And he looked like he’d come straight out of the aforementioned trash pit that separates the field where we practice and the area where he and most of the other guys live. However he has stopped coming and even missed the game on Thursday. I know his absence is not due to his not wanting to play anymore or his joining another team so pray that whatever it is keeping him from being able to play stops and that he his able to follow his God-given gift. Because believe me, he has a gift and I know that whatever it is stopping him from coming isn’t coming from above. It’s starting to really get to me and I’m about to go hunting for him to drag him back if I have to.
However overall things are very positive here and we are all excited for the next game. Talk to you then

Player Profiles

These are the kids who have passed the, reasonable, skill and fitness test and are official members of Kenyan Streets Football Club.

Edward Kamau Osedo



Tall, strong and aggressive...natural defender...leader


Eric Otieno



Athletic, tough and fast...has a strong mind...very skilled, all around player...can steal the ball in one moment and be ripping it into the top corner the next
favorite team besides streets - Chelsea
favorite subject in school- Science


Sam Mburu



Nice kid, good personality and positive influence on the team...tall, tough, athletic...can dribble, pass and control the ball very well...will play the key holding midfielder role as he is a an all around player who can play the whole game...could go far in football and, I imagine, many other things as he seems really smart


Titus Kibaki



Very talented player...has a tendency of almost always being on the winning team in practice competitions...seems to be a natural footballer as he looks to do whatever the game requires...only 15
favorite team besides streets - Manchester United


Kennedy Ochieng



Has a good football spirit...tough and athletic...good technical ability, could play anywhere...will probably be midfielder as he has a natural tendency of trying to be involved in everything...could go far as he is only 15
favorite player to watch - Wayne Rooney
favorite team besides streets - Manchester United
favorite subject in school- English


Michael Njuguna



Another young, talented player...wins a lot of individual competitions in practice...athletic...not scared of fifty-fifties or of trying to dribble past people...looks to make a good pass as well
favorite player to watch - Messi
favorite team besides streets - Manchester United
favorite subject - Math


William



An older kid on the team who has set good example by having made it to almost every single practice...tall and, though originally as coordinated as a new born giraffe, has developed into a solid defender


Duncan Mbuvi Muinduko



An older kid and good leader and positive influence in the club...strong and fit...will probably play defender or defensive midfielder
favorite player to watch - Van Persie
favorite team besides streets - Arsenal
favorite subject in school - Geography


Simon Mootien Kamau



Has excelled in the club by having come to almost every practice and by passing skill and fitness test...good role player, could play keeper in cases of emergency...gets along well with everyone on the team
favorite player to watch- Wayne Rooney
favorite team besides streets - Manchester United


Victor Kinyua Nyaga



One of the twelve year olds...good attitude and fun to have on the team...knows how to control and return a pass...could be a good player...passed skill and fitness test, which some kids much older than him failed to do
favorite player to watch - Frank Lampard
favorite team besides streets - Chelsea
favorite subject in school - Math

Daniel Njoroge



The other twelve year old...Shown toughness the way he's hung in there with the older kids, passed the skill and fitness test and done well in showing up to practice...Scored a few goals so may be an attacker one day but still soon to tell...I like he and Victor a lot as they are the youngest and therefore have the most molding potential :)
favorite player to watch - Frank Lampard
favorite team beside streets - France
favorite subject in school - Math

Eric Waweru



New player...developing defender...nice kid


William Esho



'Maasai'...could probably run fifty laps around the field before starting to feel tired...will probably play goal-keeper though as he has that fearlessness and strength to him...very respectful, always helps collect the gear after practice and tells kids to be quite while I'm talking...good influence and good help to the team

Streets

If I needed a reminder that I'm working in the hood/streets/ghetto/whatever I was reminded since the last update. There was a kid named Juma who had been coming since the beginning, however he started missing practices then just stopped coming altogether. A few days ago I was using a route to get to the field that goes right behind the 'slum' area, Mathare, of Ngong and I could see Juma ahead in the distance standing at the start of this large trash dump that covers at least an acre and is located at the tail end of Mathare. He was standing with a few other kids his age and I could tell he saw me coming because he tried to hide as I neared. I didn't continue on the path direct to the field but started on one that would take me right past him. As I passed him I didn't stop walking but just said, "Well look who it is. Its okay you'll come back to practice one day." I was about to stop and ask him why he'd stopped coming but before I could some thirty something guy a little ways away, who I'm guessing was like his (gang) boss started yelling at me after he'd heard the last thing I'd said to him (as it had been in Swahili). I couldn't understand what he was saying but I believe the gist of it was to leave his little minions of trash rats alone. I just kept walking, I didn't want to cause trouble for Juma or make problems for the team since we use a field nearby (and I only have so much mace).
Anyhow, long story but keep old Juma in mind. Its just a reminder that most of the time people fail not because they don't have the ability or get the chances, they simply just choose not to take the chances when they get them. A big reason people choose not to is fear, and usually that fear is just a fear of what people will say if they do. In Juma's case scared of what his "friends" will say.
All that didn't get me too down though because later I heard an excuse that I'm sure not too many coaches outside of Africa get, "Coaches (I'm not sure why they refer to me in the plural but with my Swahili the way it is I don't say anything), Sam will be gone for two weeks to get circumcised"
The skills and fitness tests are still going on but so far they are going well.
Thanks for checking in, holler at you again soon.