Year-in-Review: Passion over pay —The untold struggles of NSL players
Migori Youth forward Syphas Otieno has emerged as one of the standout performers in the National Super League this season, leading the score charts with six goals after just nine matches.
Audio By Vocalize
The
National Super League (NSL), Kenya’s second-tier football competition, is home
to raw talent, relentless ambition, and a level of passion that often goes
unnoticed beyond the stadium gates.
For many players, the league is less about financial reward and more about the
hope that hard work today will unlock greater opportunities tomorrow.
Most of the NSL players are tapped directly from inter-schools competitions.
On match days, these athletes appear every bit the professionals, clean kits,
neat passes, sharp finishes. To fans, they look like stars on the rise, perhaps
even earning salaries comparable to footballers abroad.
But as the saying goes,
“on the ground, things are different.” Behind the flair and finesse lies a
reality marked by modest pay, financial struggles, and unwavering belief.
Leading the NSL scoring charts is Syphas Otieno of Migori Youth, a forward
whose goals have earned him admiration across the league. Yet, Syphas
approaches his success with a mix of humor and honesty.
Speaking to Citizen Digital, he quips that if goals were paid in cash, he
would be wealthy, but in truth, he survives on very little. His dream is clear:
to use his time at Migori Youth as a stepping stone to bigger clubs, perhaps
even giants like Real Madrid.
"I'm not at Migori Youth for money but exposure. This club provides a
platform to grow, get established sell yourself to bigger clubs," he said.
Another story of resilience comes from Elix Otieno, the dependable goalkeeper
for Naivas FC. The little he earns from football helps support him and his
family, a responsibility he carries with quiet determination.
"It is never enough but we're managing the little we're getting here. I
have family, do the little I earn here and from other businesses puts food on
our table," Elix said.
Elix once ran a small business to supplement his income, but it has since shut
down. This setback has only fueled his commitment on the pitch, where every
save is a testament to his belief that better days are ahead.
"I cannot say it is enough. I'm playing hoping that one day things will
work out for better," he added.
In Bungoma County, Felix Seda of Nzoia shares similar sentiments. For him,
football is a labor of love—driven not by financial comfort but by passion and
the hope that opportunities will eventually open up.
“We’re playing for passion and for the exposure the league gives us. If I told
you what I earn, you would be surprised,” Seda admitted.
Together, the experiences of Syphas, Elix, and Felix paint a vivid picture of
the NSL: a league powered by determination, talent, and heart.
These players may not enjoy the financial stability of top-tier professionals, but they continue to show up, chasing dreams that stretch far beyond Kenya’s borders.
Leave a Comment