Simba Youth FC: A team thriving on community support while habouring NSL dreams
.JPG)
Reading Time: 9min | Sat. 06.06.26. | 21:35
To many, Simba Youth FC is simply a county league side currently leading Zone A of the Vihiga County League
On most weekends, the dusty grounds of Ekwanda-Ebusiratsi AFC Primary School come alive with the sounds of football.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
Coaches bark instructions from the touchline, and supporters gather to cheer on a team that has steadily become one of the most recognisable grassroots football projects in Vihiga County.
To many, Simba Youth FC is simply a county league side currently leading Zone A of the Vihiga County League.
Their recent 2-0 victory over Equator Boys of Maseno School strengthened their position at the top of the standings and opened a four-point gap with just four matches remaining before the mid-season break.
Yet for those who know the club closely, Simba Youth is about much more than football.
Behind every training session, every league match and every young player wearing the club's colours lies a story of opportunity, mentorship and community support.
It is a story driven by people who believe football can be a vehicle for social change and a pathway to a better future.
At the centre of that vision is club chairman Barnabas Ndeche.
A former captain of the team during his playing days, Ndeche has overseen the transformation of Simba from a football team into a structured community organisation with three separate arms: Simba Youth, the men's senior side; Simba Queens, the women's team; and Simba Juniors, the development wing nurturing the next generation of talent.
The structure did not emerge overnight. It is the result of years of commitment, sacrifice and a belief that grassroots football can have an impact that extends far beyond the boundaries of a football pitch.
For Ndeche, the inspiration for that journey can be traced back to his own upbringing.
Growing up in Nairobi's Kawangware neighbourhood, he witnessed both the challenges facing young people and the opportunities sport can create when talent is identified and nurtured early.
.JPG)
"I grew up in Kawangware and know fully well why it's important to nurture talent from an early age," he says.
"The likes of Dennis Oliech started from junior categories and see how they turned out. So nurturing players from the ground up will make them avoid many things, and they will be very fit."
It is a simple statement, but one that captures the philosophy guiding Simba's work.
In many communities across Kenya, young people face numerous challenges ranging from unemployment and poverty to drug abuse and crime.
Organised sports often provide a crucial alternative, giving children and teenagers a productive environment where discipline, teamwork and ambition are encouraged.
For Simba, football is not only about creating better players. It is about creating better citizens.
That mission begins with talent identification.
While many grassroots clubs rely solely on players approaching them, Simba actively searches for talent wherever it can be found.
Club officials spend countless hours attending school competitions, local tournaments and friendly matches in search of promising youngsters.
The search frequently takes them beyond Vihiga County.
"At Simba, we scout through going to school games, tournaments as far as Kakamega. We actually have a player from Kakamega County," Ndeche explains.
"We also track friendly matches. Last season, we recruited four goalkeepers from those trips, and they are all top talents. Sometimes, we don't even know who should start in our matches."
The statement speaks volumes about the club's commitment to development. It is not unusual for grassroots teams to struggle to field a competitive squad.
Simba, on the other hand, has built a system capable of attracting talent from neighbouring regions and developing depth across multiple age groups.
But recruiting players is only the beginning.
One of the defining features of Simba Youth FC is its commitment to addressing the social and educational needs of its players.
.jpg)
For many young athletes in rural and semi-urban communities, school-related expenses can become a barrier to both education and sporting participation. Recognising this reality, the club has made educational support a key component of its mission.
"As Simba, the juniors we help with school necessities, books, for example and fees," Ndeche says.
Such support may appear modest on paper, but for many families it can make a significant difference. A set of exercise books, school fees assistance or educational materials can determine whether a child remains in school or falls behind.
The club's support extends to girls as well.
Through Simba Queens, the organisation has created opportunities for young women to participate in football while also addressing some of the unique challenges they face.
"The girls get to have pads occasionally alongside support with school material," Ndeche explains.
In many parts of Kenya, access to sanitary products remains a challenge for school-going girls. Lack of access can lead to missed classes and reduced participation in both education and sports.
By providing support where possible, Simba is helping ensure that young women remain engaged in both.
.jpg)
The club's commitment does not end when players graduate from junior football.
Even members of the senior team sometimes receive assistance when financial difficulties arise.
"For example, our players who are in MMUST. There are times they lack school fees, so we sit down as the board and help out," says Ndeche.
This willingness to support players through different stages of their lives reflects a broader understanding of development. At Simba, football and education are not competing priorities. They are viewed as complementary paths toward personal growth and opportunity.
The club's impact extends beyond its registered players.
At Wandeche Primary School, where many Simba Juniors study, the club has established a tradition of supporting pupils during examination periods.
"We have Wandeche Primary School, which has most of our junior players, and yearly we support them during exams by buying lunch for the entirety of the exam period."
The initiative may seem simple, but its significance is profound. For children sitting important examinations, proper nutrition can improve concentration and performance. It also demonstrates to pupils that their community values their education and wants them to succeed.
.jpg)
These acts of support illustrate how Simba Youth FC has become deeply woven into the social fabric of its community.
The results of this approach are increasingly visible.
While the club takes pride in helping young people grow academically and socially, it has also begun producing footballers capable of progressing to higher levels of the game.
One former player is currently competing in the National Super League (NSL) with Luanda Villa. Others have joined the Regional League side Luanda Sportiff, where some are earning salaries through football.
Perhaps one of the most notable success stories is AFC Leopards Youth goalkeeper Frederick Amule, another product of Simba's development system.
These achievements serve as powerful reminders to younger players that dreams can become reality.
Every footballer who advances to a higher level becomes a source of inspiration for those coming behind them. They provide proof that the pathway being built at Simba can lead somewhere meaningful.
Yet despite these successes, the club continues to operate under considerable constraints. Like many grassroots organisations across Kenya, Simba's greatest challenge is funding.
Running three teams requires significant resources. Transport, equipment, registration fees, training materials and matchday logistics all come at a cost.
"It's always funds," Ndeche admits. "The community does help, but not a hundred per cent."
The challenge is compounded by the fact that the club operates multiple teams whose fixtures often occur on different days.
"For example, you'll find our ladies playing on Saturday and men on Sunday. You can't get a hundred per cent support from the community for both."
Nevertheless, Simba continues to survive largely through the goodwill of individuals who believe in its mission. Among them is David Ong'onda, a local driver who has become one of the club's most important supporters.
"I have to thank one David Ong'onda, a driver who has taken it upon himself to always ferry our teams to match venues without expecting immediate compensation. He is our transport partner."
In grassroots football, such acts of generosity often make the difference between a team fulfilling a fixture or missing it altogether.
Then there is the issue of equipment.
While professional clubs may unveil multiple kits each season, Simba often has to stretch limited resources across three teams.
"Jerseys are a challenge. We have two sets and three teams. There was a time we had our two teams playing at the same time and had to borrow a set from rival teams."
The image is both humbling and inspiring, a club chasing ambitious dreams while relying on borrowed jerseys to keep those dreams alive.
Yet perhaps what stands out most about Simba Youth FC is not the challenges it faces, but the optimism with which it confronts them. The club is actively seeking sponsors who can help provide transport, playing kits and modest allowances for players.
"What we would wish for from a sponsor is transport, jerseys and a way to see that the players don't go home empty-handed after matchday duties," says Ndeche.
He envisions a future where different sponsors support different aspects of the club's work.
"If we get one sponsor to take on the girls and another to take on the juniors whose key needs are mostly academic, it will be a good day for Simba."
The dream is not extravagant. It is rooted in sustainability and impact.
And beyond all the social programs, educational initiatives, and community support lies one footballing ambition that continues to unite everyone associated with the club. Promotion to the National Super League (NSL).
"Our players keep on talking about the NSL. They want it, and they want to get there step by step. That will be the biggest achievement."
Whether that dream becomes reality in five years or 10 remains to be seen.
What is already clear, however, is that Simba Youth FC has achieved something many grassroots clubs aspire to but few fully realise. It has become more than a football team.
It is a support system for students struggling with school fees. It is a source of sanitary products for young girls. It is a provider of books and educational materials. It is a partner to local schools. It is a platform for talent development. It is a bridge between dreams and opportunity.
Most importantly, it is proof that when communities invest in young people, football can become far more than a game.
As Simba Youth FC continues its pursuit of league success and dreams of reaching the National Super League, its greatest legacy may not ultimately be measured in trophies, points or promotions.
Instead, it may be measured in the number of young lives changed, futures secured and opportunities created through a simple belief: that every child deserves a chance to succeed.
For supporters and well-wishers looking to be part of that journey, contributions can be made through the club's MPESA Till Number 699787. For Simba Youth FC, every contribution is not merely support for a football club; it is an investment in the future of an entire community.