In the evolving narrative of Kenyan women’s football, stories of determination and transformation are often found amidst the grit of day-to-day struggle. The 2024/25 Football Kenya Federation Women Premier League has highlighted many such stories, but few have captured the imagination and hearts of fans quite like the rise of Vivian Shiyonzo, goalkeeper for Kibera Soccer Women. Her meteoric ascent is not just a tale of personal success but a beacon for young athletes across Kenya who aspire to redefine what’s possible on and off the pitch.
From goal-scoring striker to stalwart goalkeeper
Vivian Shiyonzo’s journey to the heart of Kenyan women’s football reads like a script penned by destiny and determination. Once a prolific striker, Shiyonzo spent much of her youth terrorizing opposing goalkeepers. It was only in her final year at St Maurice Mwira Girls in 2023 that a twist of fate called her to the other end of the pitch. When the regular goalkeeper failed to appear for an important match, Shiyonzo, the ever-resourceful utility player, volunteered herself for the job. In a crucial match during the Western Regional championships, her unexpected excellence between the posts propelled her school to national contention.
This moment was more than luck; it was a spark that would ignite a dazzling new chapter. Her performances earned her immediate attention, and before long, Kibera Soccer Women’s head coach David Bujego came knocking, ushering her into the top echelons of Kenyan women’s football.
A breakout season in goal
Standing 176 centimetres tall, Shiyonzo’s imposing presence and sharp reflexes quickly made their mark. In the 2024/25 season, she featured in 21 league matches and recorded 13 clean sheets—an extraordinary leap from the previous season, when she managed just four shutouts. Her reliability earned her the coveted Golden Glove award, shared with Annedy Kundu of league champions Kenya Police Bullets, underlining her position as one of the best goalkeepers in the country.
Kibera Soccer Women, buoyed by Shiyonzo’s heroics, finished third in the league. They collected 41 points from 21 matches—just five shy of the champions—showcasing a strong campaign marked by 12 wins, five draws, and only four defeats. Her ability to command her box, read the game, and marshal her defense gave Kibera a newfound sense of confidence and resilience.
Cup runs and national team dreams
But Shiyonzo’s impact transcends league play. In Cup competition, she has been a wall that attackers have found nearly insurmountable. She has kept a 100 percent clean record throughout the FKF Women’s Cup, blanking Gaspo Women, Sunderland Samba, and Ulinzi Starlets across multiple rounds. Kibera now prepares for a second consecutive Cup final, where they will face Vihiga Queens at Afraha Stadium. As the team aims to lift its first Cup title, Shiyonzo’s confidence is palpable: “This time, we will lift the title,” she declares, her conviction forged in the heat of close contests and decisive victories.
This season’s performances did not go unnoticed at the national level. Shiyonzo received her first call-up to the Harambee Starlets for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tunisia in February, deputizing none other than Annedy Kundu. Subsequent selections for friendlies and the Cecafa Senior Women’s Challenge Cup further cement her rapid rise within the national squad. “I’m so happy to play for my country,” she says, her words humble yet brimming with pride.
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Resilience off the field
While her sporting achievements shine under the stadium lights, Shiyonzo’s personal story is equally compelling. Raised as an only child by a single mother in Nairobi’s Kawangware slum, her journey is a testament to perseverance. Life was marked by hardship—her mother, a house help, struggled during bouts of unemployment—but Shiyonzo’s drive never wavered. “Since joining Kibera, life has improved. I can at least provide for my needs and sometimes help my mother financially,” she shares, highlighting the positive ripple effect of opportunities in women’s football.
Her experiences form the backbone of her character, showing not just to aspiring footballers but to anyone facing adversity that grit and resilience can overcome formidable odds. Her relationship with her family, maintained despite life’s twists and turns, grounds her meteoric rise in human context. Even with her father living elsewhere and supporting another family, the lines of support remain open—a reality for many young athletes in Kenya and beyond.
Setting sights on the future
Despite her rapid progress, Shiyonzo remains grounded, looking for inspiration from established stars. She follows Malawi international and Kansas City NWSL striker Tabitha Chawinga closely, noting, “I love her style. I follow her a lot.” On the pitch, her connection with teammate Lilian Mboga forms the core of her club’s tight defensive unit.
Yet, she is far from content to rest on her laurels. Her eyes are set on playing professionally abroad. “My dream is to play for Kansas,” she reveals, referencing both the American team and the pathway Kenyan international Mwahalima Jereko has blazed ahead of her. It’s a vision that speaks not only to personal ambition but to the growing ambition of Kenyan women’s football as a whole.
The broader significance for Kenyan women’s football
Vivian Shiyonzo’s story is more than a personal victory—it’s part of a collective movement reshaping perceptions and possibilities within Kenyan women’s football. The league is increasingly providing platforms for young women to excel, earn, and inspire. With players like Shiyonzo at the forefront, the sport is steadily carving its place in the national consciousness, empowering the next generation to dream bigger and work harder.
Her season with Kibera Soccer Women, her clean sheets, and her awards are statistics, but behind every number is a narrative of resilience, courage, and hope. These are the stories that endure—moments when the beautiful game becomes a mirror for the society it reflects, challenges, and uplifts.
Key achievements at a glance
- Thirteen clean sheets in 21 league matches,
- Golden Glove winner for the 2024/25 season (jointly with Annedy Kundu),
- Crucial role in helping Kibera Soccer Women to a third-place finish and Cup final berth with an unbeaten streak in the Cup.
