Kenyans in the UK Football Tournament Kicks Off in Stoke-on-Trent

The highly anticipated Kenyans in the UK Football Tournament 2025 commenced on April 19 at the Excel Academy grounds in Sneyd Green, Stoke-on-Trent. 

The event, featuring ten teams representing cities across the United Kingdom, is a celebration of sport, community, and Kenyan identity within the diaspora. The tournament began at 3:30 PM, with opening matches setting the stage for a day of intense competition. The opening match between Stoke-on-Trent and Derby ended in a 2-2 draw. 

Stoke’s Edu scored two goals, while Derby responded with goals from Omar and Derby’s Edu. Cambridge secured a 5-2 victory over Gloucester. Emmanuel, Okello, Linus, Brian, and Kim each scored for Cambridge, while Cyrus and Abel Kibet scored for Gloucester. In another match, Slough edged past Colchester with a 1-0 victory, with Kelsey scoring the decisive goal. 

Following the first day of competition, Cambridge leads the tournament standings with three points and a goal difference of +3. Bradford is in second place with a goal difference of +2. Slough follows with a win and a goal difference of 1, while Stoke-on-Trent and Derby are level with one point each. The tournament's architect, Duncan Kogo, emphasises the event's significance beyond football. 

"This tournament is about more than football," Kogo stated. "It’s about identity, about bringing people together, about reminding us of where we come from."

The tournament is supported by sponsors, including Centum RE, Equity Bank Kenya, PayAngel, Imarisha Sacco, World Travel Options, Talkcoms, and DJ Duez, who have played a vital role in shaping the event into a celebration of Kenyan heritage abroad. The Kenyans in the UK Football Tournament exemplify the power of sport to foster unity and pride within diaspora communities. These events provide a platform for individuals to connect with their cultural heritage, build relationships, and promote a sense of belonging.

The continued success of the Kenyans in the UK Football Tournament highlights the importance of supporting and nurturing diaspora communities, recognising their contributions to both their host countries and their ancestral homelands.