Stage set for gathering of football legends in Nairobi
Retired Kenyan international center back John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla (right) tussles for the ball with a Ugandan opponent during the semi final match of the East African Legends Football tournament at the University of Nairobi grounds on September 30, 2025. Kenya won 1-0.
Photo credit: Pool
By Ayumba Ayodi
Correspondent
NMG Sport
Former Harambee Stars defender, John ‘Bobby’ Ogola, will lead a team of Kenyan football legends in a football tournament against opponents from the region in a tournament dubbed ‘East Africa Legends Festival’ at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
The squads, some of them featuring the biggest names in football from Eastern Africa, are expected in Nairobi on Sunday to compete in the second edition of the football tournament at Ulinzi Sports Complex. They are drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and South Sudan.
Ogola, who won three straight Confederation of East and Central African Football Associations (Cecafa) Senior Challenge Cup titles with Harambee Stars from 1981 to 1983, will be in the Kenyan team alongside Josephat Murilla, J.J Masiga, Tobias Ochola, James Nandwa, Shaban Omar, among others.
Ogola, 67, said the tournament will also feature Kenyan footballers who retired recently.
“This year’s tournament will feature younger legends of the game. We want to include as many retired players as possible in the tournament,” Ogola said.
Age Watch Africa CEO Richard Waindi, with Gor Mahia Football Club legends Tobias ‘Jua Kali’ Ocholla and ‘Six Million Dollars man’ John Bobby Ogolla, on September 7, 2026 when they paid a courtesy call on the Nation Sports Desk at Nation Centre.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo| Nation Media Group
Speaking to Nation Sport on Monday, the tournament’s organisers, Richard Waindi, said the stage is set for the tournament held to commemorate the International Day of Older People which is observed on October 1 each year.
“We are finalising plans for the tournament. Our guests will arrive on in Nairobi on Sunday for the tournament,” Waindi said.
The tournament, now in the second edition, will run from September 28 to October 1, 2026.
Tanzanian legends, led by Abdalla Kibadeni, won last year’s tournament held at University of Nairobi grounds. Other than hosts Kenya, teams from Uganda and Tanzania competed.
The oldest player at the tournament was 83-year-old Ugandan international Polly Ouma. Last year’s edition was held at the University of Nairobi grounds.
The tournament is open to players aged 60, and is held to commemorate the United Nations Day of Older Persons.
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