How two local football teams in Eastleigh are rising

In the football community of Eastleigh, two local teams are charting unique courses in their pursuit of football glory.

One team, Volcano Team Academy, is making its mark in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Elite Youth League. The other, Marlin Youth Academy, although not yet registered in any league, is fervently chasing its dream of climbing the ranks to eventually join the Kenyan Premier League.

Volcano Academy

Volcano Team Academy, based in Eastleigh's Starehe sub-county, was formed in 2015 with a focus on developing football skills among players under the age of 13. The team has drawn young talent from various parts of Eastleigh, including California, Jam Street, Mlango, and Madiwa, as well as from nearby areas like Ushirika and Ngara.

Having risen through the ranks, Volcano now competes in the FKF Youth League. To understand how they balance rigorous training with academic responsibilities, we spoke with the team’s coach, Idris Feisal.

“Volcano is a team composed mostly of players under 13. To nurture more talent, we don’t charge a registration fee. As long as a player is talented and meets the age limit, they can join the team,” said Coach Idris.

Idris Feisal, the head coach for Volcano Academy (C) Justine Ondieki

When asked about their training schedule, Salman Mohammed, the team’s captain, explained, “During holidays, we meet every morning. When school is in session, we train every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.”

Salman added, “We don’t pay any registration fee. We have a sponsor who supports the team, including providing kits. We train every day during holidays and on weekends during the school term, usually at 2 PM. We often have away friendlies on those weekends.”

Despite their recent successes in the league, the team faces the ongoing challenge of balancing academic responsibilities with their passion for football. Nevertheless, they continue to aim high in their pursuit of football excellence.

Marlin Youth Academy

Marlin Youth Academy, another local team based in Eastleigh's Starehe sub-county, is composed of under-17 players. The team was initially started in 2018 and revived last year under the management of Abdiqafor Suleiman and Sharma Dahar.

Unlike Volcano, Marlin has not yet registered in any league and currently plays only friendly matches. However, the team is determined to progress through the tiers of Kenyan football and eventually play in the FKF Premier League.

“Marlin is an established team focused on training players under 17. We’ve been performing well in our training sessions and friendlies, and we are hopeful that one day we’ll make it. We charge a membership fee that helps us acquire training kits and cover other team activities,” Suleiman told us.

Abdiqafor Suleiman, The head coach at Marlin Youth Academy gives instruction during a training at Muslim Primary School on August 20 (C) Justine Ondieki

They are required to pay for the training ground at Muslim Primary School, which adds to their financial strain.Hamza Ali, the team captain, shared how he joined the team.

“We came together as a group of football enthusiasts and organized ourselves to form a team. We train every morning during holidays and on Fridays when school is in session.”

Suleiman highlighted the difficulties they face, including limited resources.

“We have to pay the school daily per player for the pitch, and each member has to pay a one-time registration fee of Ksh 1,500. Sometimes it’s hard, but we manage. Balancing academics and sports is not easy,” echoed Anas Ahmed, the assistant captain who plays as a centre defensive midfielder.

Nurturing Local Talent in Eastleigh

Both Volcano Academy and Marlin Youth Academy are committed to nurturing local football talent in Eastleigh, particularly in the Starehe sub-county. Despite the challenges they face, their dedication to the sport exemplifies the truth behind the saying, "Practice makes perfect."