At just 21, Sven Yidah has developed into a dependable player for Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Kariobangi Sharks, a team he joined four years ago from Ligi Ndogo.
His path to the top of the football pyramid in Kenya hasn’t been a smooth sail. For starters, he only started playing football while in High School as he enjoyed running while in primary school and never thought he’d become a professional footballer.
Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Sven Yidah is stretched out after suffering an injury during their Betway Cup match against Kenpoly at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on February 16, 2020.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Education: Ayany Primary School, Hill Top Primary School in Tigoni, Muhuri Muchiri Secondary School and Nairobi Milimani School.
Briefly, how can you describe your time at Kariobangi Sharks?
My time at Sharks has been good. When I joined Sharks, it was my first time playing in a team that I didn’t know anyone at a personal level so it was a bit awkward. However, I settled in and gelled with my teammates who are today not just comrades but friends and most importantly, family.
I have gone through a lot of challenges and experiences both individually and collectively, locally and internationally, that has made me a better person and player.
I am always grateful to my childhood team Ligi Ndogo for giving me a chance to start playing in the NSL while still in high school. It prepared me early and even made my move to Sharks possible because they spotted me when we met each other in the second tier.
Kariobangi Sharks defensive midfielder Sven Yidah trains at Woodley Grounds on August 6, 2020.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
The step up to the KPL has been enriching because I have learned a lot. It was a fresh challenge and I am happy that as a team we took it with courage and you saw it helped us finish third in our debut season.
The main difference between NSL and KPL is that the NSL is more competitive and teams are a lot more aggressive. This is because, in NSL, almost all the teams are fighting for the only two automatic promotion slots while in the KPL, it’s more about tactics and calculations: some want to win the title, others want a top 8 finish and others just want to survive.
I must say I am torn in between earning that promotion to the KPL and winning our first major trophy, The Shield in 2018. I think I will pick those two achievements as my most memorable ones. They are historic and the club will remember this forever.
It really gave me more belief in my abilities since I realised I could compete against world-class players. Playing against an English Premier League (EPL) team is not an ordinary thing for a Kenyan and scoring against them too made it an unforgettable occasion for me.
I also learned that football is just the same – the only difference is that they were faster and stronger physically.
Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Sven Yidah celebrates scoring a penalty during their friendly match against Everton at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 7, 2019.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Sharks won the SportPesa Cup in Dar es Salaam after overcoming some of the biggest clubs in the region. What lessons did you draw from this tournament?
The previous year, we had exited the same tournament in a disappointing manner after we dominated Simba SC but we didn't take our chances. So this time we came with a sense of responsibility wanting to correct our mistakes. The main lesson we learned from that tournament is that with belief and togetherness, any challenge can be conquered.
The best feeling for any player is scoring. Being a defensive midfielder, my position doesn't allow me to score frequently so I always want to have memorable celebrations. To be honest, the celebration was a mixture of creativity and happiness - it has been a celebration I have been doing from way back only that this time I got the opportunity to do it on a big stage and that is why it went viral and I thank God it made me famous.
Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Sven Yidah celebrates scoring a penalty during their friendly match against Everton at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 7, 2019.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Sven Yidah celebrates scoring a penalty during their friendly match against Everton at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 7, 2019.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
I find the term role model too wide to just pin it on one person. What I try to do is to pick positives from a number of people I consider successful. I draw a lot of inspiration from Victor Wanyama for the heights he has reached as a player who started from the grassroots like myself. I look at what Jesse Were, a guy from Kibra like me, is doing in Zambia and the belief in my dreams gets stronger. I also take a lot from the confidence of Conor McGregor, the work ethic of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the determination of Yaya Toure. It’s just about combining the lessons and producing my own version of them all.
I look up to my dad. The way he has brought me up and held our family together inspires me to also try and live a life not just as a good footballer but also a good father, a good brother and a good son. His faith made us grow with many lessons from the church that saved me from a lot of the dangers of a teenager in one of the toughest neighbourhoods in the city.
Kariobangi Sharks defensive midfielder Sven Yidah plays keepy-ups during a training session at Woodley grounds on August 6, 2020.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
There was talk of interest from Tanzanian giants Yanga last season, what happened?
There has been an interest for a while now but no solid offer has been tabled. I am still contracted to Sharks and that is where my focus is.
I see myself as a regular in the national team contributing to the goals and objectives of my nation’s football family. My dream has always been to serve my country at the highest level. I am hoping to transit from the Under-23 to the senior ranks and become a regular.
Kenya Under-23 midfielder Sven Yidah in action during their 2020 Olympic Games qualifying match against Sudan on March 26, 2019 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
This pandemic stopped the world quite literally. It is difficult right now because even accessing training grounds to keep fit is a challenge as the authorities and health experts have advised against. I am doing a lot of running on the roads mixed with some short sprints, and agility drills in the little space behind my hood.
As a footballer, it has opened my eyes and challenged me. I have thought deeply about how I can be productive in the society and my family when there is no football. I hope all other footballers have also learned from this. We need to have various avenues of earning a living beyond the pitch and also be key actors in making our society a better place.
FKF recently secured sponsorship for the top league, what's your take on that?
It is good news for the football fraternity. The local game needs a lot of things and resources are at the top of that list. However, how the teams and the league organise themselves will be important. As a player, I want to see a well-run league and also well-run clubs. Players’ welfare must be given the seriousness it deserves and clubs must develop ways to be self-sustainable and not just depend on the grants from the league sponsor. Let this cash that has come in be like a seed that will produce a tree that can offer some shade for all of us.
Kariobangi Sharks defensive midfielder Sven Yidah warms up during a training session at Woodley grounds on August 6, 2020.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
I would urge players to be disciplined and focused no matter the circumstances. If we add perseverance in this then we can go far. I hate to see Kenyan players giving up. This is Africa; you just got to be tough and keep the discipline and focus as well as persevere. Things are not easy in this part of the world so we just got to go hard.
