Kisumu All Stars, a soccer team based in Kisumu, has faced numerous challenges this season, including the loss of their main sponsor, the Kisumu County Government. The withdrawal of funding left the club struggling to honor fixtures and meet basic operational needs. Despite these hurdles, Charles Bruno, the team’s head coach, has turned to faith and prayer as his guiding principles to inspire his squad through adversity.
The team’s situation became even more dire after nearly half of the squad left following the withdrawal of sponsorship by Governor Peter Anyang Nyong’o’s administration. However, Bruno has remained resolute in his belief that prayer and perseverance will help the team overcome these difficulties.
Before their crucial match against Darajani Gogo on Saturday, April 19, Bruno addressed his players with a powerful message. “Good evening, guys, the situation is not good, and we’ll have to adjust, but I believe we will travel,” he said. “When the boys get a chance to step into that ride, we are going to fight with everything we’ve got.” Bruno further encouraged the team to pray, saying, “You will hit your knees in prayer before you leave. Pray for all of us, and for those staying behind, hold us down in prayers too. Let’s go. It’s more than a game now. It’s heart, it’s hustle, it’s faith.”
This faith-driven approach bore fruit when Kisumu All Stars triumphed over Darajani Gogo, securing a 2-1 victory. Goals from Laban and Dave ‘Murife’ ensured the win in a thrilling match at Hope Center in Kawangware, Nairobi. With the victory, Kisumu All Stars moved up to fifth place in the National Super League, accumulating 40 points, a remarkable feat considering the circumstances.
Bruno’s leadership and the team’s resilience are a testament to the power of hard work, belief, and faith in overcoming challenges.
