Brian Ndenga

Defensive Midfielder - US Bougouba
29 Sep 2030
Sunday
Process

Marked for Brian Ndenga

216 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

16 Sep 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Tempers go at US Bougouba

Shaka Zulu was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

No hiding place for Brian Ndenga

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Brian Ndenga, and the manager let it.

Market

The Ayanda Bophela talk will not go away

Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. US Bougouba know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.

In brief

Back issues
214 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

2 Sep 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Tempers go at US Bougouba

Shaka Zulu was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Boardroom

$486.8K on the table at US Bougouba

The board have answered with money instead of encouragement, which is the only answer a manager ever wants. Spending it well is now entirely his problem.

Market

The Shaka Zulu story refuses to die

It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Shaka Zulu signs something — a contract at US Bougouba or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.

In brief

213 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

26 Aug 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Abdulrazaq Shuaibu in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at US Bougouba this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Yomi Ayodeji gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Market

The Sihle Tati talk will not go away

Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. US Bougouba know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.

In brief

210 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

5 Aug 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Mpendulo Ntuli keeps the receipts

“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” US Bougouba may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.

Squad

Tempers go at US Bougouba

Shaka Zulu was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Boardroom

$486.8K on the table at US Bougouba

The board have answered with money instead of encouragement, which is the only answer a manager ever wants. Spending it well is now entirely his problem.

In brief

209 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

29 Jul 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Shaka Zulu in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at US Bougouba this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Abu Tatu

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

The Sihle Tati talk will not go away

Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. US Bougouba know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.

In brief

206 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

8 Jul 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Tempers go at US Bougouba

Abdulrazaq Shuaibu was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Boardroom

$486.8K on the table at US Bougouba

The board have answered with money instead of encouragement, which is the only answer a manager ever wants. Spending it well is now entirely his problem.

Squad

Brian Ndenga gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

205 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

1 Jul 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Brian Ndenga hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what US Bougouba can pretend not to have heard.

Squad

Abdulrazaq Shuaibu in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at US Bougouba this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Yomi Ayodeji

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

In brief

201 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

3 Jun 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Sifiso Dolly wants to go home

“I have given this everything, but my family is not here and neither am I, not really.” A footballer can be coached out of bad form. Nobody has ever been coached out of this, and US Bougouba know it.

Squad

Shaka Zulu in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at US Bougouba this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Yomi Ayodeji

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

In brief

199 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

20 May 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Abdulrazaq Shuaibu in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at US Bougouba this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Brian Ndenga gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Market

The Mpho Khethang story refuses to die

It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Mpho Khethang signs something — a contract at US Bougouba or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.

In brief

193 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

8 Apr 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Shaka Zulu in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at US Bougouba this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Boardroom

US Bougouba release $486.8K for the manager

The board have put money on the table rather than an encouraging word. What happens to it now is somebody else's problem, and somebody else's job.

Squad

Brian Ndenga gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

188 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

4 Mar 2030
From our football correspondent Crisis

Match

No end in sight to US Bougouba's wait for a win

7 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at US Bougouba has to find a result from somewhere.

Player ratings

Abdulrazaq Shuaibu runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 25. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Zoey Monyepao stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Zoey Monyepao and US Bougouba agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Squad

Tempers go at US Bougouba

Shaka Zulu was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Match

US Bougouba come up short against FC Diarra

FC Diarra left with the points after a 0‑1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Boardroom

$486.8K on the table at US Bougouba

The board have answered with money instead of encouragement, which is the only answer a manager ever wants. Spending it well is now entirely his problem.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Aderigbide Saheed

3 goals and a season average of 7.29 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Brian Ndenga

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

The terraces

Everybody has an opinion about Zoey Monyepao

He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.

In brief

183 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

28 Jan 2030
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Zoey Monyepao is the hero from the spot

A shoot-out is remembered by its ending, and this one ends with Zoey Monyepao: 2 kept out, and a set of supporters who will describe every one of them for the next twenty years.

Match

US Bougouba march on in the cup

Onze Createurs are out and US Bougouba go through, 1‑1 the final word. The bracket opens up a little, and everyone allows themselves a look at it.

Squad

Tempers go at US Bougouba

Shaka Zulu was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Match

US Bougouba come up short against Stade Malien

Stade Malien left with the points after a 1‑3 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Shaka Zulu

Successful dribbles: 20. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Sihle Tati

Marked 8.69 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Sifiso Dolly

Marked 8.12 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

Andrew Mohammed stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Andrew Mohammed and US Bougouba agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Squad

No hiding place for Brian Ndenga

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Brian Ndenga, and the manager let it.

In brief

177 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

17 Dec 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

8 unbeaten for US Bougouba

Hard to beat is not the same as winning, but 8 matches without defeat is a foundation US Bougouba did not have in the autumn.

Player ratings

Abdulrazaq Shuaibu runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 23. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Tempers go at US Bougouba

Shaka Zulu was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

One of those days for Aderigbide Saheed

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.96, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

Sfundo Nzama gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

US Bougouba and Afrique Foot Elite take a point apiece

It finished 1‑1, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

Squad

Aderigbide Saheed is carrying US Bougouba

3 goals and a season average of 7.23. Form like that gets noticed well beyond this town.

Player ratings

Sihle Tati leaves them behind him

Shots: 8. Goals: none. The chances were there and they were good ones, and they went into the stand, the goalkeeper's arms and the side netting in roughly that order.

Market

The Sihle Tati question follows US Bougouba around

Every press conference now starts and ends the same way: with Sihle Tati’s future. The manager has run out of new ways to say nothing.

In brief

174 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

26 Nov 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

US Bougouba up to position 3

14 points on the board and a place in the leading group. Nobody at the ground is saying the word out loud yet.

Squad

Shaka Zulu in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at US Bougouba this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Yomi Ayodeji

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Brian Ndenga

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 19 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Abdulrazaq Shuaibu

Successful dribbles: 18. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Player ratings

Yomi Ayodeji keeps on missing

Shots: 7, not one of them in. A centre forward is paid for one thing, and on this evidence he has forgotten which thing it is.

Player ratings

Abu Tatu shuts the door

Defensive actions: 13, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Match

US Bougouba draw a blank against Real Bamako

The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Real Bamako defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.

Squad

Abu Tatu knocks on the manager’s door

“Thirty minutes, door closed, everything said. We shook hands after.” Whatever was in the room stayed in the room, and Abu Tatu trained the next morning like a man with less to carry.

In brief

159 Edition

The US Bougouba Chronicle

13 Aug 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Sihle Tati signs on for more

“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Sihle Tati and US Bougouba agree another 4 years.

Squad

Tempers go at US Bougouba

Shaka Zulu was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

US Bougouba buy the years ahead of Nurali Beysebekov

He is 20, and the scouting reports agree on the only line that matters: the ceiling. Signings like this are lottery tickets written by professionals.

Squad

Mpendulo Ntuli gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

A season on the outside for Brian Ndenga

He trains hard, says the right things and goes home to an empty flat. Nobody at US Bougouba has done anything wrong, which is exactly what makes it so difficult to fix.

Market

The Ayanda Bophela story refuses to die

It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Ayanda Bophela signs something — a contract at US Bougouba or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.

In brief

152 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

25 Jun 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

No mercy from Mathare United

Kariobangi Sharks will want this one forgotten quickly: 3‑0, every duel lost, and a long ride home. Mathare United were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.

Market

Nehemiah Onchiri asks to leave Mathare United

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Squad

Isaac Omweri: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Mathare United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Tempers go at Mathare United

Kevin Omondi was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

John Nyawir in the eights

A performance of 9.19 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

Moise Mbombo in the eights

A performance of 8.49 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Brian Ndenga

Defensive actions: 19. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Squad

Mathare United count the cost of losing Bob Cetric

35 days, the scan says, and scans are kinder than reality. The fixtures in that window have just become somebody else’s job.

Squad

No hiding place for Vincent Mulama

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Vincent Mulama, and the manager let it.

In brief

151 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

18 Jun 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Kevin Omondi

There were 7 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Market

Ahmat Abba puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Mathare United, and it is not being withdrawn.

Squad

Kevin Omondi in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Mathare United this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Brian Ndenga

Defensive actions: 20. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Vincent Mulama

Defensive actions: 17. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Player ratings

Peter Oudu shuts the door

Defensive actions: 16, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Player ratings

Gozie Umeh shuts the door

Defensive actions: 16, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Squad

No hiding place for Elvis Ronack

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Elvis Ronack, and the manager let it.

Match

Mathare United draw a blank against Kakamega Homeboyz

The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Kakamega Homeboyz defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.

In brief

149 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

4 Jun 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Kevin Omondi

There were 7 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Squad

Bangaly Diawara: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Mathare United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Kevin Omondi in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Mathare United this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Brian Ndenga in the eights

A performance of 9.11 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Peter Oudu

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 20 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

No hiding place for Moise Mbombo

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Moise Mbombo, and the manager let it.

Match

Brian Ndenga sends Mathare United past Nairobi United

It finished 1‑0, and it was Brian Ndenga’s afternoon: on the scoresheet when it mattered, and the reason the points belong to Mathare United.

Market

AFC Leopards join the queue for George Okoth

Add another name to the list: AFC Leopards have asked the question everybody in the game has been asking about George Okoth. The answer from Mathare United has not changed — yet.

Player ratings

Gozie Umeh shuts the door

Defensive actions: 15, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

In brief

146 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

14 May 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Match

Cup progress for Mathare United

A 2‑0 win over Ulinzi Stars, a place in the next round, and the quiet arithmetic every supporter does on the walk home: how many more until a final?

Player ratings

Nothing got past Brian Ndenga

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 35 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Kevin Omondi

There were 7 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Match

Mathare United make it 3 in a row

Momentum is a hard thing to buy and an easy thing to lose, and right now Mathare United have 3 straight wins of it.

Squad

Kevin Omondi in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Mathare United this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

One of those days for Ian Omondi

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.71, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Gozie Umeh

Defensive actions: 21. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Player ratings

One of those days for Baba Moro Abdulai

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.58, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Match

Mathare United get the job done against Shabana

A 1‑0 win over Shabana, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.

In brief

138 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

19 Mar 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Bob Cetric asks to leave Mathare United

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Peter Oudu

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 23 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Kevin Omondi in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Mathare United this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Match

Moise Mbombo sends Mathare United past Sofapaka

It finished 1‑0, and it was Moise Mbombo’s afternoon: on the scoresheet when it mattered, and the reason the points belong to Mathare United.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Moise Mbombo

Marked 8.29 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

No hiding place for Vincent Mulama

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Vincent Mulama, and the manager let it.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near John Macharia

Successful dribbles: 16. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

Brian Ndenga asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

Market

The John Macharia talk will not go away

Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Mathare United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.

In brief

137 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

12 Mar 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Tempers go at Mathare United

Kevin Omondi was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Match

Moise Mbombo the difference as Mathare United beat Bidco United

Ask anyone on the way out what separated the sides and you will get one name: Moise Mbombo. 2‑1 against Bidco United, and the applause at the whistle was mostly his.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Moise Mbombo

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

One of those days for Moise Mbombo

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.46, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

One of those days for John Macharia

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.04, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

Vincent Mulama asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

In brief

135 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

26 Feb 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Tempers go at Mathare United

Kevin Omondi was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

Hansel Ochieng gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Player ratings

Peter Oudu stands above it all

Some games turn on a moment; this one turned on a man. 7.56 on the card, and the Mathare United support went home talking about one name.

Match

Mathare United draw a blank against Kariobangi Sharks

The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Kariobangi Sharks defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.

Player ratings

Moise Mbombo keeps on missing

Shots: 9, not one of them in. A centre forward is paid for one thing, and on this evidence he has forgotten which thing it is.

Market

The Gozie Umeh story refuses to die

It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Gozie Umeh signs something — a contract at Mathare United or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.

In brief

131 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

29 Jan 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Brian Magare asks to leave Mathare United

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Squad

Tempers go at Mathare United

Kevin Omondi was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

No hiding place for Bangaly Diawara

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Bangaly Diawara, and the manager let it.

In brief

125 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

18 Dec 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Elvis Ronack says Mathare United went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Tempers go at Mathare United

Mohammed Kilume was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Brian Ndenga

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

In brief

124 Edition

The Mathare United Sentinel

11 Dec 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Brian Ndenga: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Mathare United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Market

Bob Cetric puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Mathare United, and it is not being withdrawn.

Squad

Mohammed Kilume in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Mathare United this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

In brief