Obunga FC represents the raw football talent of a slum located on the outskirts of Kisumu. Obunga is a ghetto within Kisumu, which has all the social evils you get in a ghetto, but here we present to you the national champions. The boys, hailing mostly from the slums, shoulder the aspirations of countless residents and families, their journey a beacon of hope amidst the challenges of their community.

Obunga FC is using sports to make a difference in their community. Their motto is ‘Sports and education for behaviour change. And the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament, which shows the youth and people in grassroots communities that football is a real career and that you can earn from your passion, complemented these values for the rising stars.

Emerging victorious as national champions in this youth football tournament, Obunga FC not only claimed a million-shilling prize but also secured scholarships for each player to pursue Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses of their choice, accompanied by smartphones to aid in their educational journey.

The climax of their journey unfolded on Sunday at Mamboleo Stadium, located at the showground just off the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway. Fans on boda bodas and on foot started arriving as early as 8 a.m., determined to secure a vantage position at the match venue.

By 10 a.m., there were no empty seats available, leaving thousands to stand. By midday, the stadium was overflowing, with close to 20,000 fans in attendance.

The event in question was the finals of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba national finals games, where Kisumu’s Obunga FC, representing the Nyanza region, faced off against Eldoret’s PASC Langa, representing the Rift Valley region.

The record books will show that Obunga FC clinched victory with a 4-2 penalty shootout win after a thrilling 1-1 draw in regular time. However, it isn’t easy to fully comprehend the intense passion and overwhelming support of the Obunga fans unless you were there at the Mamboleo Stadium, drenched in rain. The fans’ support was so powerful that it carried the players to victory.

The fans, affectionately dubbed ‘the 12th man’, were indeed critical for Obunga FC. They literally pushed the team to victory. If we were to imagine football as a religion, then the high priests of the day were Obunga FC, with the multitude of fans an apt congregation. If you have ever encountered Gor Mahia fans, then multiply that passion by 10, and you will perhaps have an inkling of the fanatical support that Obunga FC enjoys.

Reflecting on their remarkable journey, Obunga FC’s captain, Tyson Murilli, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and acknowledged the profound impact of their triumph on the community. Assistant captain Victor Ochieng echoed these sentiments, emphasising their unwavering determination to succeed for their loyal supporters.

Throughout the weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, everywhere you went in Kisumu, there was buzz about Safaricom Chapa Dimba and, more specifically, Obunga FC. Talk about a team seen as a symbol of hope for a community that desperately needs it.

Obunga FC’s journey to the top has been tough and very incredible. It started high and hot during the county finals when they faced their neighbours, arch-rivals and season two Chapa Dimba national champions, Manyatta United. The match ended  4-3 on penalties in favour of Obunga FC. The sweet victory gave Obunga FC inter-estate bragging rights in Kisumu and kickstarted their Safaricom Chapa Dimba 2023/2024 campaign that culminated in national supremacy.

In acknowledgement of Manyatta United’s footballing prowess, Obunga FC signed up Benson Omalla’s younger brother Duncan from Manyatta FC. Duncan would go on to dazzle during the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza region finals with his exploits catching the attention of scouts globally. Duncan is now at the prestigious ABM Academy in Mali. He hopes that his 8-month training will sharpen his skills and make him marketable for teams in Europe.

In the regional semifinals, Obunga FC defeated Nyamira’s Nyaguku FC 4-0  and Migori’s Awendo Academy 2-1 to become Nyanza region champions and secured a chance to represent Nyanza region in the national finals.

At the national finals, Obunga FC thrashed Central’s Lysa FC 3-1 before overcoming plucky Bandari Youth 2-0 to set up the final match against PASC Langa. For Obunga’s coach, Evans Oketch, the secret to his players’ success is all in the mind.

“Comparing PASC Langa and Bandari Youth, Bandari were better. Once I won in the semifinal I was assured of victory in the final. Because Bandari Youth were good tactically. PASC Langa players have a big physique, and they are athletic, but football is mental. Obunga FC players are mentally tough, and they play football using their minds,” said Coach Oketch.

Oketch’s sentiments ahead of the final proved to be prophetic. A sixth-minute goal appeared to have given Obunga FC the advantage, and with the thousands of fans cheering them on, everything appeared to be going well for them, cruising to the title and bagging a million shillings until a heavy downpour poured at the tail-end of the first half.

The rain scattered the fans standing around the pitch, causing the start of the second half to be delayed for almost an hour. Then, upon restart, the pitch was waterlogged, making play almost impossible. To add to Obunga’s woes, a goalkeeping howler with 15 minutes to the final whistle saw PASC Langa equalise, leading to penalties.

The mental toughness their coach spoke of came to the fore during the shootout. William Odek, whose error had led to Pasc Langa’s late equaliser, showed his grit by saving two penalties. He was named the final’s best goalkeeper, earning KES 50,000. As for his teammates, each of the four Obunga FC players who took a penalty scored amidst the pressure of not disappointing the thousands of adoring and expectant fans. Talk of heart.

While celebrating his and his players’ achievements, Obunga’s head coach, Evans Oketch, took on a philosophical tone, stating, “It does not matter where you come from. As long as you believe in yourself, you can succeed.”

Most importantly, Obunga FC brought unlimited joy and endless hope to their fans. The scenes of jubilation at the Mamboleo Stadium when the final penalty was saved, and Obunga FC emerged as Safaricom Chapa Dimba season four champions will live for long in the memories of those who were lucky enough to witness it live. At that moment, everything was well with the world. That is the essence of the beautiful game.