Nairobi United Mustafa Kizza( middle) leads teammates in celebrating his goal against Shabana FC on April 5, 2026 during their FKF Premier League match played at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
People from Kibuli have a lot to show the world when they leave that Kampala neighbourhood built on one of the original seven hills of the Ugandan capital.
Kibuli is where Nairobi United left back Mustafa Kizza comes from, and since landing at “Naibois” from Ugandan club National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) in January, the 26-year-old has scored two wonderful goals that are automatic candidates for goal of the year.
His first was scored directly from a corner he took against Bidco United in the 21st minute at Ulinzi Sports Complex on February 21. Naibois won 3-0.
“I had been working on my swerve before that match, and I am glad the effort paid off,” Kizza told Nation Sport of his “Olimpico” -- goal scored directly from a corner. That goal was his first for the club.
On Sunday, the Uganda international ended his goal drought in style against Shabana at Kasarani as he notched his second league goal in United colours, punting the ball over Tore Bobe goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng’ from his own half.
Kizza had replaced Michael Karamor in the 86th minute with his team leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Karamor and Duncan Omala. His 93rd-minute wonder goal put the cherry on top of the cake as Nairobi United claimed a 3-0 win, their first league victory in five matches.
“While on the bench, I noticed the Shabana goalkeeper straying off his goal line several times, and before I entered the pitch, my coach told me to go for the lob if I noticed him standing far off his goal. When I got the ball, I took my chance after noticing he was off his line, and the ball went in,” said Kizza.
Kizza’s performance reflects how Ugandan players have excelled in the Kenyan Premier League.
“I know that there are many Ugandan footballers like Baba Kizito, Dan Serunkuma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Jimmy Bageya, and Khalid Aucho who have made their mark in Kenyan football. I am inspired by their achievements here, and I am determined to build on their legacy,” said Kizza.
Curiously, while he is a defender, Kizaa admires most two former footballers who did not play in his position -- former Harambee Stars captain and midfielder Victor Wanyama and Arsenal’s legendary forward Thierry Henry, and the Ugandan's goals in Kenya could have been inspired by the duo.
Wanyama, playing for Southampton in November 2014, scored against Hull City after lobbing their goalkeeper from 40 yards in a 1-0 Premier League win for the Saints.
In September 2012, Henry scored a 93rd-minute “Olimpico” as he helped New York Red Bulls defeat Columbus Crew 3-1 in a Major League Soccer match.
Kizza played with Wanyama at Canadian club CF Montreal from 2020 to 2021 when Henry was the club coach.
Nairobi United Mustafa Kizza( middle) leads teammates in celebrating his goal against Shabana FC on April 5, 2026 during their FKF Premier League match played at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
“Wanyama is one of the humblest, disciplined, and hardworking people that I know. He treated me like his younger brother when we were in Canada. He helped me a lot, and we still communicate regularly,” said Kizza.
Wanyama announced his retirement from competitive football on Saturday.
“It was exciting to play under Henry and a big motivation too. He approved my transfer to the club after the club had scouted me. Meeting him gave me goosebumps because I had grown up watching him on television,” Kizza said.
Though not as prestigious as the Fifa World Cup, like Henry, Kizza has also won a trophy with his national team – the 2019 Cecafa Cup.
“I scored in the final when we beat Eritrea 3-0,” said Kizza, who has 16 caps and four goals for Uganda Cranes.
“However, it has been three years since I played for the national team after some issues came up. I hope to perform well at my club and make the team for Afcon 2027,” he added.
If all goes well, Kizza could just find himself in Uganda Cranes’ Afcon 2027 squad together with his three younger brothers -- Hafizi Khasim, the goalkeeper of Uganda’s Express FC, Mustafa Khasim of Red River, a lower-tier side in the United States, and Walid Muhamad, a striker for Ugandan club Bright Stars FC.
It is not just the Uganda Cranes that Kizza has unfinished business with. When he finds time, he hopes to resume his studies at the Makerere University Business School.
“I was studying Business Administration, but I dropped out in my first year because it was hard balancing studies and playing football. Also, I struggled to raise money for fees because I was not earning enough. Things are better now, and in future, I plan to resume my studies,” said Kizza, who also has ambitions of becoming a journalist.
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