Goti, who plays for Hakati Spotiff FC, one of the clubs in the county league in Nairobi, began his football journey while in class three. However, it was not until he reached class seven that he realized football could transform his life beyond just a fun activity.
Musa’s parents were initially hesitant about his pursuit of football, citing concerns over the rise in child abductions and the fact that no one in their family had ever played the sport. They wanted him to focus on his studies.
“It was not easy to convince my parents to allow me to play football. They were worried about my safety and my future, since there was no one in my family who had played football,” Musa recounted.
It took the intervention of coach Charles Achima and other football enthusiasts who recognized Musa’s potential to influence his parents to let him play.
Musa joined Young Rovers Sports Club in Maringo, playing as a winger before moving to Hakati FC’s junior team. Prior to joining the senior team at Hakati FC, Musa, who was in class eight at St. Patrick’s Primary, Maringo, was crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) during Sauti Sol’s league tournament held at City Stadium. He received a trophy, a cash prize, and a fully paid three-day vacation to Mombasa—his first experience traveling by air.
“It was one of the greatest experiences, and this is where I knew football would one day open great doors for me,” he said.
After returning from Mombasa, he made his debut with the senior team. From St. Patrick’s Primary, Goti joined Tetu High School in Nyeri on a four-year scholarship, helping the school win county football championships for the first time in history while being crowned best player.
Several schools reached out to him, but Musa felt a strong bond with his teammates and wanted to stay focused. “I had very supportive teammates and great teachers, and I wanted to focus on my studies and my talent. I remained focused,” he said.
Goti, who looks up to AFC Leopards captain Kaicy Odhiambo, hopes to join Kariobangi Sharks FC after leaving Hakati.
“I have always wanted to play for Kariobangi Sharks because it represents a high standard of football and has many young players,” Musa said, adding that he is inspired by Kaicy, who was his teammate at Hakati before joining AFC Leopards and the national team, Harambee Stars.
Musa is aware of the economic situation at home and believes one day he will change the narrative, even as he faces numerous challenges. “I know that nothing comes easy. Every day, I put my trust in God and wake up to train diligently,” he said, pointing out the lack of training kits and the poor condition of the football pitch as key challenges they face as a team.
These sentiments were supported by Charles Achima, head coach of Hakati FC. “We have a number of challenges. Most of these children we train come from humble families; some leave home hungry, and as a coach, I have to step in and help. Remember, we have no resources to address such challenges, and it’s really not easy,” he said.
Achima noted that while there is great talent at the local level, the federation has not invested in football in lower leagues. When investments do occur, they often target affluent areas like Karen, disadvantaging promising talents from less fortunate backgrounds. He urged the federation and private entities to rise to the occasion and support local football, igniting a higher level of play. Currently, he states that there is no stiff competition to set standards at local football, affecting the overall performance of both the KPL and the national team.
Musa desires to join Zetech University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, but financial constraints are his greatest challenge. “If I get a chance today, I would love to pursue Electrical Engineering at Zetech University. It’s my dream school since it has molded many great players. At the moment, I lack funds to further my education,” he said, adding that his parents are not in a position to support his studies.
Musa has called on young players to respect their coaches, learn from their experience, and stay patient. “God’s timing is always the best,” he said.
