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Sheer resilience and determination have finally reaped rewards for Murang’a Seal’s forward Naaman Balecho, whose football journey began in the coastal town of Mombasa 14 years ago.

Balecho (pictured) started his football career at Cool Boys Soccer Academy in 2010 under coach Collins – who now runs Cheza Sports Academy in South B, Nairobi.

After Cool Boys, the lethal forward joined Micky Youth before moving to Golden Boys at the age of 11.

Pursuing his dreams further, Balecho moved to Nairobi and joined Cheza Sports Academy in the sub-county and county leagues in 2015. Developing through the ranks, the soft-spoken ace joined Mount Kenya University, Thika Main Campus, and played for the school team in the FKF Division 2 in 2019.

Later that year, the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the sports ecosystem, but after the storm, Balecho signed for the National Super League side Murang’a Seal, a team that later gained their maiden promotion to the FKF Premier League last season.

“When covid-19 halted the league, I joined Murang’a Seal at the end of 2020,” he told People Sport.

Hailing from Mombasa County, specifically Mikindani, Balecho started to experience the country’s top-tier football with the only outfit from the vast Mount Kenya region in the FKF-Premier League in 2023.

“It has not been easy; it’s been a work in progress with challenges here and there. The important thing is to focus on the prize despite the distractions. Putting God first and focusing on what you want in life is key. The path to football success is often littered with obstacles, and my experience has been no different.”

Throughout his football journey, Balecho highlighted financial constraints as the main challenge.

“The main challenge has been financial. When developing through the ranks, you encounter setbacks, so you fight to get the money to sustain yourself and grow as a player. Securing the necessary resources for training, equipment, and basic living expenses can be a daunting task,” he added.

Many promising players in the country have to balance nurturing their talent with meeting financial needs. Despite these hurdles, just like Balecho, their ambitions remain unwavering.

Balecho dreams of representing the country in international assignments with Harambee Stars in the near future.

He went on to add: “I have aspirations for the national team and pray that one day, InshaAllah, I will earn my debut for Harambee Stars. The dream of representing my country on the international stage drives me to work harder every day.”

Meanwhile, Balecho’s development from a young footballer to an established forward is a testament to perseverance and faith. It’s about prodigies believing in their dreams and working tirelessly towards them, regardless of the setbacks.