It looked like any other penalty. The goalkeeper guessed left, the ball went in off the upright on the right but the taker did not spin away in celebration. He appeared to have pulled a muscle in his right leg and hopped, limped and then strutted away happily.
That was Yidah Sven Yidah, then playing for Kariobangi Sharks, and the year was 2019. In 10 seconds, Yidah had taken his comical goal celebration from amusing his teammates to the international stage.
It has been copied by internationals such as Anthony Rudiger and has now been immortalized in the EA FC 24 video game (formerly FIFA) as well as birthing viral moments on platforms like TikTok.
The lesson he has learnt from the fame he gained and the progress he has made in life because of football has led Yidah to declare the game “a great equalizer”. The footballer repeats this message every time he gets the chance to talk to the upcoming footballers that are currently involved in the fourth edition of Safaricom Chapa Dimba.
Growing up in the tough confines of Kibera, Yidah found solace on the football field. Childhood friends succumbed to vices and crime, a stark reminder of the hurdles that accompany success.
From his early kickabouts in the Kibera slums at the age of five, Yidah would go on to play at the Ligi Ndogo Academy, based at the RFUEA Grounds on Ngong Road.
He joined Kariobangi Sharks in January 2016 after completing his secondary school education at Nairobi Milimani on a football scholarship. Sharks secured a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) promotion in December 2016.
His hard work paid off with promotions and national team call-ups, culminating in a triumphant run in the GOTV Shield in 2018.
After four years with Kariobangi Sharks, Yidah moved on to Nairobi City Stars in 2020, followed by a spell with Marumo Gallants in the South African Premier League. Despite facing challenges, including contract termination in 2023, Yidah remains optimistic, urging young talents to stay resilient.
Addressing aspiring footballers, Yidah emphasizes the importance of discipline in training, sleep, diet, and choice of company. “Football is a team sport, but you need individual effort and grit,” he says.
“Success is a result of a lot of unseen hard work. There are times you will train in the rain or hungry or without boots. Do not give up; keep on working. You are one step away from being spotted. When I moved from Ligi Ndogo to Sharks, I was not even on the bench. A player got injured, and I got a 10-minute chance, grabbed it, and never looked back,” he reflects.
“Football has its ups and downs, just like life. Stay strong, keep training, and trust the process. Let nothing discourage you from your dream,” he says.
Watch his story below.
