By Caroline Katana
Soccer or football as it is known in many parts of the world reigns supreme in Africa, its widespread popularity across the continent isn’t just a coincidence.
It results from a unique blend of accessibility, fandom, and betting expansion.
The beauty of soccer lies in its simplicity and accessibility, it’s a sport that requires minimal equipment – a ball and something to mark the goalposts, even just a couple of rocks.
This ease of setup means that soccer can be played anywhere, from the coast streets to the parks of Kenya.
This accessibility has played a pivotal role in embedding soccer into the fabric of daily life across the continent.
The wide availability of sports broadcasts worldwide has also helped soccer become popular across Africa.TV, radio and later internet streaming brought leagues from Europe, South America, and beyond within the reach of African fans.
This global exposure has broadened the fan base and allowed young players to draw inspiration from soccer stars.
The influence of African players in international teams has also boosted soccer’s popularity back home, footballers like Drogba, Eto’o and Mo Salah have become household names in their home countries and across the continent.
Their succession on the international stage has fostered a sense of pride and aspiration among young African fans and players alike.
It has created a pathway for African talent, showcasing that with skill and determination, the world stage is within reach.
Soccer’s dominance in Africa is more than just about entertainment, it’s a cultural phenomenon, the sport transcends being a game, it’s a community experience.
It brings people together, fosters national pride, and offers hope and inspiration to millions, the rise of soccer in Africa is a testament to the power of sports in uniting people, irrespective of their backgrounds.
Soccer in Africa is not just a sport it’s a way of life, affirmed Samba Sports Youth Agenda executive director Mohamed Mwachausa.
Speaking at a two-day peace tournament at Ng’ombeni primary school in Matuga constituency, Kwale county, Mwachausa said the Ng’ombeni peace tournament that is under the Kujenga Amani project funded by European Union through CEFA, engaged youths from Matuga and Msambweni constituencies and especially from villages that are affected by insecurity.
“The tournament commenced yesterday with a sensitization forum on the importance of youth maintaining peace in their respective areas as well as building strong co-existence among themselves before the matches,” he said.
Mwausa said the Kujenga Amani project has promoted peace especially in the waa-Ng’ombeni ward previously known for violence.
“I can proudly say that our event is going well even without the presence of security personnel unlike before when holding events in this area was very risky due to juvenile gangs,” he added.
He noted that the Kujenga Amani project is implemented in Kwale and Mombasa counties, benefiting approximately 800 youths from 40 villages in each of the two counties.
“Two teams (girls and boys) from each village are engaged in this project and we are expecting the winning team today to compete with the winning team in Mombasa whereby the final winner will proceed to compete with teams in Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania,” said Mwachausa.
On matters of drug and substance abuse, he called upon the county and national government to take serious measures in curbing the menace that has affected a large percentage of youths on Kenya’s coast.
Denyenye Combine team coach Mfaume Hamisi Hassan applauded SambaSports youth agenda for the Kujenga Amani Project that has promoted cohesive co-existence between different juvenile groups and boosted peace and security in the society.
At the same time, he called upon more organizations and governments to invest more in soccer to develop young talents.
“We don’t have enough facilities for our young people to develop their talents in soccer, like for instance there are teams with only one football, no jerseys, no playing boots, this is a challenge to our governments to set aside funds to improve the field of sports,” he said.
Ukunda’s Atlántico team coach Raso Abdallah called upon youths to observe discipline to succeed in soccer.
“Before, during, and after coaching my team, I have to do sensitization on effects of drug and substance abuse, we all know indiscipline kills the talents of young people,” he said.
A 16 year old player of Kalamu FC Suleman Abdallah from Mwamanga village, in Msambweni constituency, called upon political leaders in the county to stop using youths negatively for personal benefits instead of supporting young people to fulfill their dreams of life.
“Political leaders only give us priority during political campaigns and take us for granted to cause violence because we are vulnerable, this is a high chance for our leaders to nurture our talents, we all know talents pay,” said Abdallah.
Abdallah who is a form one student at Ukunda Secondary started playing football when he was 11 years old with Ukunda Sports Academy.
He is inspired by international player Kelvin De Bruin and his dream is to join the SS Assad football club.
Abdallah Idd Ali of Atlantico FC, Ukunda, urged youths to shun away from criminal activities and instead embrace productive activities such as football clubs.
“I appeal to my fellow youths to maintain peace and security, there is no development without peace and security,” said Ali.
Out of the 10 teams that participated in the peace tournament Kinondo United emerged the winner and was awarded a trophy, four foot balls and jerseys among other prizes.
