×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Join Thousands of Readers
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Nganya culture spreads the cheer to football

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

Shabana and Gor Mahia players during their game at Gusii Stadium, on April 4, 2025. The match ended 1:0 in favor of Gor Mahia. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

It is 7 am on a Sunday morning in Kisii town. The crowds are already gathering. A matatu, no, a nganya, zooms past the residents, painted in customized flashy themes, with murals of football legends and slogans that scream identity.

Hyped for weeks, the pandemonium hit fever pitch as the anticipated football match dubbed the Nyanza derby, saw hundreds of football fans travel overnight from Nairobi to Kisii town to cheer their beloved teams.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Fact-first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
By AFP 8 hrs ago
Football
Tunisia coach Renard has 'no regrets' despite World Cup flop
By AFP 9 hrs ago
Football
Historic World Cup goal brings rare joy to DR Congo Ebola epicentre
Athletics
Lemayan, Otero out to nail marathon titles
By AFP 11 hrs ago
Football
Turkey exit World Cup with heads held high, beat USA with last-gasp winner