NAIROBI, Kenya, June 26, 2026 – Had it not been for God, Tusker striker Ian Simiyu would not be around to testify of his experience leading up to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup final against Kenya Police.
The star of that domestic cup final, the former Sofapaka winger reveals he was seriously ill in the weeks leading to that showdown.
It is amazing that someone who was staring at the abyss of death turned out to be the one to breath life into the final, scoring a brace in the pulsating encounter that ended 2-1 in favour of the brewers.
“I was 90 per cent sure that I would not be able to play the final because I was seriously ill…to the point of death. However, God came through for me, He spoke to me and told me that all would be well and that’s how the final turned out to be a testimony,” Simiyu recalls.
Picking up the ball from Fabian Adikiny, Simiyu rifled a low shot from the left, past Kenya Police keeper Daniel Ogembo, midway through the first half.
Aboud Omar’s leveller for Police notwithstanding, Simiyu rose to the occasion in the 30th minute, latching onto a pass on the left, outmuscling his marker before slotting past Ogembo for the second.
So much for a player who only had a 10 per cent chance of featuring in the final!
Recalling the last 24 hours before the final, Simiyu says it was one of the most unpleasant moments of his career.
“I woke up in a lot of pain and was asking myself if I would be able to make the final. I was forcing myself to eat so I could gain strength for the game and also praying to God to help me recover in time for the game,” he testifies.
Such is the portent combination of faith towards God and an indefatigable spirit that refuses to give up regardless of how dire the situation is.
His coach, Julien Mette, spoke glowingly of him in the aftermath of his outstanding display in the final.
The Frenchman described him as a striker going places and one who is not yet the finished product.
“He is a player who has come from the second division. I came in at the end of February and found when he was mostly sitting on the bench. The strikers that I had were a bit disappointing and every time I gave him the chance he took it. You could see (against Police) that apart from the two goals, he also helped us to overcome the pressure. He is not yet the complete player obviously, he has to work in the gym and gain more muscle,” Mette said.
Add to the eight goals he scored across all competitions — five in the FKF Premier League and three in the domestic cup — Simiyu finished the season with six assists.
Should he keep growing in his relationship with God and polish on the weak areas of his game, the youngster could well be battling for the golden boot in the new season.
Or, better yet, a debut call-up to the national team Harambee Stars — especially in 2027 when they play in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on home soil.
