Phase 3 of 1XBET Mtaani takes place at Mathare Depot grounds with over 3,000 fans in attendance
Mathare United FC together with 1xBet successfully held the third phase of the 1xBet Mtaani Project in Mathare, reinforcing their shared commitment to community development through sport.
The initiative was held on Saturday at the Mathare Depot grounds in a colourful event that attracted over 3,000 fans. It included the donation of essential sports equipment and fan engagement activities aimed at empowering local youth.
The event was headlined by a friendly match between Mathare United FC and New Mathare FC which ended 1-0 in favour of the Slum Boys. Daglas Mokaya’s goal from a freekick in the 30th minute was the difference between the two sides.1XBET MTAANI is a grassroots football initiative by 1xBet and Mathare United FC, created to support local talent and strengthen community engagement.
Through 1XBET MTAANI, 1xBet and Mathare United FC bring football closer to the community and create meaningful opportunities for young players. Built around the Football for Good message, 1XBET MTAANI combines matchday energy with mentorship and local impact.And on Saturday, Mathare United players led by assistant coach Gabriel ‘Kingi’ Njoroge, midfielder Steve Kimari and goalkeeper Robert Mboya held a mentorship session with New Mathare FC players sharing tips, experiences, and real stories about life as professional athletes.
It was a unique opportunity for New Mathare FC players to learn, grow, and see a path forward in their football journey.“I’m overwhelmed by emotions to come back to this pitch where I used to play bare feet as a kid. Back then, it was our dream to play for Mathare United so coming back here as a Mathare United player means a lot.
I’m grateful for 1XBET for coming up with this initiative to bridge the gap between us and the grassroots teams. It’s a big inspiration for these players getting to interact and play with us. We should have more of such initiatives to give hope to the upcoming players and the community as a whole that they can make it in life through football,” said Kimari who hails from Mathare.
“This pitch is so important in the history of Mathare United because it’s where the club was born. Coming back here to play against an upcoming team like New Mathare means a lot to the Mathare community. I’m so impressed by the talent I’ve seen in the team and the young boys have what it takes to make it in football. I’m not surprised that they are currently top of MUFC 2 2025their league because you can see they have good quality in their team. If they keep the focus, these boys can play in established leagues in Europe,” added Mathare United Assistant Coach Njoroge.
The 1XBET MTAANI is a community initiative that goes far beyond 90 minutes of play. This event, built on the message of “Football for Good” brings together professional athletes, young aspiring players, and local residents for a day of sport, mentorship, and meaningful connection.“We believe that football is more than a game — it is a platform for opportunity, unity, and growth in communities like Mathare,” said 1xBet’s representative.
“1XBET MTAANI project is about mentorship, empowerment, and leaving a lasting impact.”By bridging the gap between elite football and local passion, the project aims to uplift young players and connect with the community through shared values and support. At the end of the friendly match, New Mathare FC received a full donation of essential football equipment, including: footballs, training bibs, goal nets, space markers, cones, agility ladders and whistles courtesy of 1xBet.
“It has been a great match and an opportunity to learn from our big brothers Mathare United. We might have lost the match but we have gained a lot today. We are grateful to 1XBET for organizing this game because it’s very rare for a Premier League team to come down to this level. We are very happy for this experience and it will go a long way in encouraging the team to achieve our goals this season,” said New Mathare Captain Jeremiah Ochieng’.
1xBet is a socially responsible international brand that supports community initiatives in Kenya and across Africa. Through partnerships with local organizations such as Mathare United FC, the company invests in projects that promote youth development, education, and social empowerment.