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Inside the rise of the Naivasha Champions League

Players playing a game in the Naivasha Champions League.

Photo credit: Courtesy
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By  MUTHONI WANJIKU

Correspondent

Mtaa Wangu

When you step into Naivasha on a matchday, it's not just football you find, it's an experience you feel. There are shouts from the touchline, dusty pitches that have been transformed into arenas and raw talent that is eager to shine.

This is the spirit of the Naivasha Champions League: a grassroots tournament that has become the heartbeat of local football.

Founded by lawyer and football enthusiast Joseph Njoroge, the tournament is designed to level the playing field, giving both established and up-and-coming teams a chance to prove themselves.

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The journey begins at ward level, with eight wards competing in a league format from February to June. On average, each ward fields around 15 teams. The structure mirrors that of professional football: the top two teams qualify for the Main Cup, while the teams that come third and fourth head into the Conference Cup. The top eight teams earn slots in the FA Cup.

Joseph Nioroge in a previous Naivasha Champions League Game.

Photo credit: Courtesy

This year is set to be especially exciting, with all three trophies; the Main Cup, the Conference Cup and the FA Cup up for grabs.

The FA Cup, which began with 64 teams, has provided thrilling knockout action. Week by week, the numbers have halved from 64 to 32, then to 16, and later to eight before narrowing down to the semi-finals and finals. 

On Sunday, fans can look forward to a thrilling men’s final between PlanTech and 11 Stars. In the women's category, FC 105 and Tikitaka will compete for glory in what promises to be a display of skill and flair.

Once the dust has settled on the FA Cup, the focus will shift to the Main Cup and Conference Cup, which will enter the group stage and culminate in the grand finals in December.

The women's game is also gaining momentum, with 20 teams competing this year, this is a significant increase from previous editions.

Women’s teams are competing in both the FA Cup and the Main Cup, and their matches have quickly become firm favourites with fans.

However, for Njoroge, trophies are only part of the story. “The real win lies in talent development and returning ownership to the community,” he says.

The clubs themselves organise the tournament, covering costs such as referees and transport. Every edition begins with a stakeholders' conference, where the rules, rewards and fixtures are agreed upon collectively.

The league however, faces challenges. Naivasha lacks a proper stadium, and many local teams struggle with kits, equipment, and coaching resources.

However, progress is evident: with support from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), refereeing standards have improved, and more young players are being spotted for bigger opportunities.

Now entering its third edition, the Naivasha Champions League continues to grow, not just as a tournament but as a symbol of resilience, unity, and the untapped potential of grassroots football.