10 Reminders To Survive Any Football Disappointment

 

Football Made Me Series ⚽

Mixed Emotions, Celebrations, or Reactions? 🤔

Football has a way of bringing out the best and worst emotions in us. Whether your team wins, loses, or falls just short, here are 10 reminders to help you survive any football disappointment or heartbreak—especially as a fan here in Kenya.

1. Understand that there are three possible results.
A team can win, lose, or draw. Not every match will go your way.

2. In every final, there can only be one champion.
The beauty and pain of competition is that only one team lifts the trophy.

3. Avoid unnecessary arguments.
Especially with rival fans. Passion is good; hostility is not.

4. Remember your role as a fan.
Whether you're in the stands or on your sofa watching TV, the result is beyond your control.

5. Empathize with the players and coaches.
If the defeat hurts you as a fan, imagine how the players and coaching staff feel after months of sacrifice and preparation.

6. Never overinvest in betting.
And if you must bet, only place an amount you are fully prepared to lose.

7. Don't spread hate.
Football is a game—a team sport that unites people across different backgrounds and cultures.

8. Reflect on the kind of fan you are.
Are you a follower or a supporter? The two may seem similar, but they carry deeper meanings.

9. Supporting big clubs has become a lifestyle in Kenya.
Whether it's in the EPL or elsewhere, you don't always have to prove which side you belong to. Sometimes being a silent fan brings more peace and enjoyment.

10. Support local football too.
If you truly love the game, don't limit yourself to watching foreign leagues from your sofa or crowded viewing halls. Attend matches in your neighbourhood and support at least one club in the Kenyan Premier League and one in the Women's Premier League.

Lastly, many fans can proudly say they have watched hundreds of EPL matches on television. But the question is: how many Kenyan Premier League matches have they attended in person?

I often wish that the same energy, passion, and loyalty we invest in foreign leagues could be channelled towards our local game. Imagine the impact that would have on the growth of football in Kenya—from fan culture and sponsorship to player development and stadium attendance.

As one football chapter closes, another begins. Let's now shift our focus to the World Cup and continue supporting the beautiful game. To all African nations representing the continent, all the best—make us proud! 🌍⚽

#FootballMadeMeSeries
#SemiZaMaja +throughMylens 📸⚽

Football Made Me Series, Personal Branding

 Football Made Me Series

📍 Personal Branding

Football is a team sport. You must play as a team to win matches and trophies, but on the other side, you also have to think about your own career progress and aspire to achieve individual success within the game.

📍 Live in the now, but don’t forget to secure a seat at the top table tomorrow.

📍 Your talent may never come with an expiry date, but your ability to perform at the same level will eventually decline. A time may come when all you can do is talk about what you used to do.

📍 Don’t be swayed into believing that football doesn’t pay when you see former top players struggling. The truth is, some are in recovery mode or trapped in a vicious cycle because of poor habits and missed opportunities to expand beyond their talent. They failed to build systems, networks, and personal brands that could continue creating opportunities after hanging up their boots.

📍 To all sports personnel: your talent gets you through the gateway of opportunity, your performance earns you a top seat at the table, but your overall personal brand keeps you relevant — not just at one table, but in the entire room. ⚽🔥

Players Unique Value Proposition

Football Made Me Series  ⚽

#SemiZaMaja +throughMylens 📸 Bits and Pieces

📍 What is your Unique Value Proposition in the game?

- From holding the boots to hanging the boots — while remaining relevant.

#POV Many Kenyan players do not have a clear roadmap that guides them from playing locally, to competing regionally, and eventually reaching the international stage with reputable clubs that offer both opportunity and fair compensation.

Many have the desire, hope, determination, and talent. But the journey often feels like walking through a dark road filled with unexplained checkpoints, hidden hurdles, distractions, and barriers that many never see coming until they encounter them.

Generally, most Kenyan players dream of a smooth, happy, and sustainable journey throughout their football careers and beyond. But the reality is often different. Many survive on hand-to-mouth earnings, talented players quit the game too early, careers are disrupted by uncertain contracts and unattended injuries, and opportunities often come with only short-term promises.

On the flip side, even players considered to be earning “good money” may still lack the knowledge, mentorship, and guidance needed to save, invest, and prepare for both the expected and unexpected future. I call this the dark tunnel of Kenyan football.

The challenge is not only getting players into the game; it is helping them navigate the entire football journey — from holding the boots to eventually hanging the boots — while remaining relevant, financially stable, and purposeful beyond the game.

Perhaps the real unique value proposition in football is not simply producing players, but creating a roadmap that develops people, creates opportunities, and builds value beyond the game.

#FootballDevelopment #PlayerTransition #YouthDevelopment #FootballCareer #KenyanFootball