PuraVida Sports

Luke Namanda is currently one of the most experienced players on the domestic football circles
in Kenya having played in the top flight for close to two decades.

But the lethal, 32-year-old striker hasn’t lost his mojo yet despite currently being without a
playing contract with any Kenyan Premier League club.

And to stay in shape, Namanda is currently attached to Kuta Collections FC, a non-league side
backed by Pura Vida Sports Africa and whose aim is to offer a platform for unattached and
young players alike to showcase their talent and keep their career afloat.

Namanda was on the score sheet, alongside Patrick Ngunyi, during Kuta Collections’ post-match
penalties victory over hosts Al-Azizia FC of Meru in the Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 64 match at
the Kinoru Stadium on February 11 in the match that ended in a 2-2 stalemate before Kuta
Collections won the spot kicks.

The striker won titles at Tusker and also turned out in the top Kenyan league for Nairobi City
Stars, Nzoia Sugar, Kakamega Homeboyz, AFC Leopards alongside a stint at Rwanda’s Musanze
FC, also having played for lower league sides Timsales FC and West Kenya FC.

Support from Pura Vida Sports Africa

Kuta Collections FC don’t have a training ground and have been relying on support from well-
wishers, Pura Vida Sports Africa and player-coach Augustine Mtiang’a Kuta, the brains behind
the team.

After having played in the premiership for, among others, Nairobi City Stars and Posta Rangers,
Kuta hung up his boots and focused on his sports store Kuta Collections.

Kuta Collections (call text or WhatsApp 0715251994), deal in the supply of football boots,
uniforms and equipment and deliver such equipment free-of-charge within Nairobi and at a
cost via parcel countrywide within 24 hours.

They are located in Nairobi within Dubai Merchant Mall, Shop F38, along Ronald Ngala Street,
next to Best Lady and opposite RNG Plaza.

Kuta remains positive that despite the teething problems at the club, the series of friendly
matches have helped Kuta Collections gain momentum ahead of this Sunday’s (March 8)
Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 32 fixture against Division One side KSG Ogopa FC at the Nyayo
National Stadium (kick-off 1pm).

In their build-up friendlies, Kuta Collections have played, among others, Gor Mahia, KCB,
Murang’a Seals as well as Dandora Youth

“The team is shaping up well,” Kuta assured on Tuesday.

“Since the last game against Al-Azizia, we have had a series of build-up matches to work on our
strengths and help the team gel better, and on a positive note, we have been scoring more than
two goals and working on conceding less.”

Striker Erick Otieno played alongside Namanda in the Tusker FC squad that was a Mozzart Bet
Cup finalists in 2023 and fell short of lifting the trophy, falling to Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 at
the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Otieno was also awarded the “Golden Boot” after emerging top scorer in the tournament and
will be key to Kuta Collections FC’s progress in the knockout Cup this season.

Among the most exciting players in the Kuta Collections FC, captained by central defender
Morgan Oduor, is Ibrahim Ilyas Ahmed “Mao”, a Somali international who is central to the
side’s creative play. Like Namanda, “Mao” also boasts rich experience having turned out for AFC
Leopards, Sofapaka and Tanzania’s KMC, among other clubs.

Very experienced goalkeeper

He is expected to brave the Holy Month of Ramadhan fast and team up in the midfield with
Giovani Lukhwama, a former AFC Leopards midfielder who is always very calm and composed
on the ball.

“In goal we have Mustapha Oduor, a very experienced goalkeeper who also has lifted the
Mozzart Bet Cup with Bandari FC before and has played for clubs like Talanta FC and Murang’a
SEALS,” Kuta analysed his side.

He added: “South Sudanese defender Daniel Bichiok, a former captain of last season’s Mozzart
Bet Cup winning team, Nairobi United, also has joined us for the Cup game. He is a true leader
who lifted both the Mozzart Bet Cup and National Super League titles last season.”

While their experience holds key to their Cup success, Kuta Collections FC haven’t been without
their fair share of challenges, the biggest of them all being the absence of a reliable and
affordable training ground to prepare for the matches.

“The belief and sacrifice from the players have kept the team going along with the support from
Pura Vida Sports Africa and Kuta Collections who have been funding the few expenses that
come with planning friendly matches and training,” Kuta noted.

“Also, without forgetting the help from friends and fans of Pura Vida Sports Africa and Kuta
Collections at large.”

“I’m glad to have partnered with Pura Vida Sports Africa through its founder Elias Makori, a
former Sports Managing Editor at the Nation Media Group with whom we also featured in the
Cup competition in 2021 through Nation FC,” Kuta had said in an earlier interview ahead of the
Meru Round of 64 match where Kuta Collections scored through Robinson Asenwa, Patrick
Ngunyi, Bryan Tobiko, Eric Mwaura, Giovanni Moses and Boaz Maeri while Levy Shionanya and
goalkeeper Mustapha Oduor had their shots blocked by Al-Azizia goalkeeper Patrick “Mendy”
Oduor.

KSG Ogopa FC no pushovers

Al-Azizia scored their spot kicks through Zacharia Tisa, Elvis Aromana, Kennedy Mboga, Simba
Kundu and Melvin Muthomi while Alfred Bukala rammed his kick against the upright as Kuta
Collections’ ‘keeper Oduor saved from Frank Hope and Morris Njeru.

Kuta is wary of the fact that KSG Ogopa FC, a team run by the Kenya School of Government at
Nairobi’s Lower Kabete, who eliminated Gituru FC 1-0 at the Gituru Community Grounds will be
no pushovers.

“We know how physical their game is and we are looking forward to tactically outplaying them
to our advantage and get early goals to avoid the same fate their previous opponents Gituru
suffered by conceding a late goal that knocked them out,” Kuta observed.

KSG Ogopa play in the Division Two Eastern Zone League and were last weekend held goalless
by Kariobangi Sharks Youth in a home league match that saw them remain second on 21 points
from 11 matches behind leaders Shauri Moyo United FC.

They recently bolstered their side in the January-February transfer window by signing Ian
Mungei (from Uthiru FC), Beckham Omondi (Sofapaka), Joseph Mumo (Murang’a SEALS) and
goalkeeper Samuel Mudaka.

The Kuta Collections vs KSG Ogopa 1pm kick-off at Nyayo National Stadium will be followed by
Gor Mahia FC’s clash with giantkillers BB Bread FC at 3:30pm at the same venue with both
matches live on Azam TV.

BB Bread eliminated AFC Leopards 4-3 on penalties in the Round of 64 and will be looking to
repeating the giant-killing act against Kenyan Premier League leaders Gor Mahia FC who are
currently lonely at the top of the table and enjoying good form highlighted by their midweek 2-
1 victory over Mathare United.

“K’Ogalo” eliminated hosts Dero FC 2-0 in the Round of 64 at Kisumu’s Mamboleo Stadium.

2026 Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 32 fixtures this weekend:

Friday, March 6:

Bidco United vs Tusker FC (Police Sacco, Nairobi, 3pm);

Saturday, March 7:

Bandari FC vs Bumbani Stars FC (KPA Sports Club, Mbaraki, 3pm);
Zetech Titans FC vs KCB FC (Moi Stadium, Embu, 1pm);
3K FC vs Denmark FC (Moi Stadium, Embu, 3pm);
Mfalme FC vs WISA (Eldoret Showground, 1pm);
Shabana FC vs Muhoroni Youth FC (Gusii Stadium, Kisii, 2pm);
Ulinzi Stars FC vs Zoo FC (Ulinzi Sports Complex, 3pm);
TBM Health FC vs Kenya Police FC (Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Kisumu, 2pm);

Sunday, March 8:

Kuta Collections FC vs KSG Ogopa FC (Nyayo National Stadium, 1pm);
Gor Mahia FC vs BB Broad FC (Nyayo National Stadium, 3.30pm);
Kakamega Homeboyz FC vs Kipchimchim FC (Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, 2pm);
Posta Rangers FC vs Oinopsos FC (Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, 2pm);
Chebaiywa Lions FC vs Gucha Youth FC (Eldoret Showground, 1pm);
Murang’a SEAL FC vs FC Dynamo (SportPesa Arena, Murang’a, 3pm);
Kariobangi Sharks FC vs K.U. Hardnuts FC (Kasarani Stadium, 3pm)

To be confirmed:

L-15 FC / Nairobi United vs BMC Allstars FC.