An Afternoon With Ambani

 Former Kenyan international Boniface Ambani giving young
boys a word of advice

Last Sunday, the Children of Kibera Foundation hosted a couple of other teams and organizations in a soccer tournament for young boys. The event, which attracted teams from various parts of Nairobi was aimed at promoting young talents that exist in the community. It was also aimed at helping the boys work on their self esteem, build their confidence, improve on their self discipline and acquire some sense of teamwork.

Some of the teams that featured in the tournament include Kangemi Football Club, Cycad Football Club and the Red Rose Football team. The Kangemi Youth football Club was accompanied by Boniface Ambani, a Kenyan international who had close to 30 caps for the national team. He shared with the young boys his experience as a professional football. ‘All the professional footballers in Kenya who have gained fame in the European clubs all emerged from the slums, you mention Dennis Oliech (Ajaccio, France), Mariga (Inter Milan, Italy) and Mugabe (Celtic, Scotland) they all started just like you people,’ he said.  ‘All you need is self-discipline, and respect for others and never keep your eye off your goals,’ he further added.

At the end of the tournament all the participating teams were awarded training kits and uniforms.

Cycad F.C.

Kangemi F.C.

Kibera Team cordiantor, Jeff (Centre) receiving the training kits on behalf of the team

Kibera Team

‘It was a good experience especially meeting someone like Ambani. It shows us that we can make it to Mugabe’s level or even better.’ – Oscar, Kibera Team goalkeeper.