A father's return to football inspired by his son sparks Eastleigh Airbase team to life
After earning a Master’s degree in Geology and becoming an IT specialist, John Gachie could have stayed away from football for good. But when his son showed interest in the sport, Gachie returned to the pitch - founding Simba Matata FC and reigniting a lifelong passion rooted in legacy, love, and community.
John Gachie Ndegwa once swapped football boots for textbooks, eventually earning a Master’s degree in Geology and becoming an IT specialist. But no matter how far his academic and professional journey took him, the game kept calling him back.
“I stopped playing and went back to school. I studied Geology, even got a Master’s. I’m also an IT specialist,” he says. “But work in geology is hard to come by—only a few employers out there. Eventually, I left it. Football was always in me.”
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Today, Gachie coaches Simba Matata FC, a sub-county team he founded in 2020. His return to the game was inspired by his son, who showed interest in football after high school. Keen to support him, Gachie returned to the PCEA playing ground in Airbase Ward—where he himself played in the late '80s and early '90s.
“I encouraged my son to follow his heart. I remembered how hard it was for me — no money, poor facilities, limited chances. So I thought, why not build something together?”
He gathered a few friends, and Simba Matata was born. Four years later, the team is still going strong, but the journey hasn’t been easy.
“Playing grounds are a big issue,” he says. “In Nairobi, most open spaces have been grabbed or misused. The pitches we use are risky. No grass, just worn-out murram. A simple fall can cause a serious injury.”
Formal coaching remains out of reach financially. “I coach from experience,” he explains. “Coaching courses are expensive.”
He’s critical of where Kenyan football is today compared to his playing days.
“In 1987, Kenya won silver at the All-Africa Games. Gor Mahia lifted the Mandela Cup. We dominated East and Central Africa. Now even Comoros is beating us,” he says. “Back then, we had real discipline and commitment. Clubs trained hard. Other sports like boxing were booming too. Chris Sande, a local boxer from around here, even brought us a cup from Thailand.”
He believes changing school schedules have affected talent development. “We used to finish school at 3PM and rush to the pitch. These days, kids are released at 5PM. There’s no time left to train.”
To support himself, Gachie runs a small water business.
“Water only comes twice a week here. I store it and sell retail and wholesale. That’s how I earn. But I still believe football is a goldmine. If done right, our players can go far.”
His greatest pride? Giving others a second chance.
“I coach people who never got a chance to play when they were younger—guys held back by the 8-4-4 system. Some have moved up to county league, even Division Two. That’s my joy.”
From geology to grassroots football, Gachie’s story is one of coming full circle—proof that passion doesn’t fade. It waits, and sometimes, it finds its way back to the pitch.
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