Ligi Ndogo S.C. Academy

The Ligi Ndogo Soccer Club Academy, commonly known as simply Ligi Ndogo, is the youth team of Ligi Ndogo Sports Club, and acts as a feeder program for the senior team. The current academy director and under-17 head coach is Ibrahim Mbikalo.

Ligi Ndogo Academy
Full nameLigi Ndogo Soccer Club Academy
Nickname(s)The Planets, Ligi
Founded1 January 2002 (2002-01-01)
GroundLigi Ndogo Grounds,
Nairobi, Kenya
Capacity2,000
ChairmanChris Amimo
Head coachIbrahim Mbikalo

The academy fields teams from under-9 to under-19 level that participate in various national and international competitions, but also accommodates boys and girls from the age of four upwards. Notable former graduates of the academy include Swedish international John Guidetti and Kenyan international Ayub Masika.

History

The academy was established on 1 January 2002 by current club chairman Chris Amimo and Karani Nyamu. The academy's first season began in February 2002, as just a place for neighbourhood children to go and play some football. Upon discovering that many of the children actually had talent, the administration formed the various age groups found in the academy today and formed a "Planets" team, which consisted of the best players from these age groups, to represent the club at national and international tournaments.[1]

In 2005, the senior football team was formed on the initiative of current academy director and former senior team coach, Ibrahim Mbikalo and Amimo. Ligi Ndogo gained their first honours by winning the Private Secondary Schools' League in 2005, and played in the Kiko Cup towards the end of the year, crashing out through a 3–2 loss to Kibera Combined on spot kicks.

Structure

The academy's program is divided into three seasons each calendar year: January–April, May–August and September–December, with a typical season lasting 10 to 12 weeks. Apart from being a football school with several semi-professional coaches on the payroll, the academy fielded an internal league season at each age level with regular matches, training sessions and tournaments. Upon registration, players are evaluated and placed in teams which are categorized based on age and skill level:

  • "Atoms" – ages 4 to 7
  • "Juniors" – ages 8 to 9
  • "Lower Mids" – ages 10 to 12
  • "Upper Mids" – ages 13 to 14

These categories are further divided into teams named after the planets of the Solar System. The atoms have five teams: Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Neptune and Suns. The juniors have Neptune, Mars, Jupiter and Pluto while the Mids have Jupiter and Neptune. A formal program is also offered where parents can get involved as referees, linesmen, team parents, team sponsors, handlers and cheerleaders.

As the Football Kenya Federation does not organize national youth leagues in Kenya, teams from the academy regularly compete in the Keele International Cup (formerly the Umbro International Cup), which has been won before by the academy's various teams, as well as various tournaments within the country. Players from the academy have attracted attention from professional football clubs such as Crystal Palace, Everton and Liverpool.[2][3][4][5][6]

Notable academy graduates

John Guidetti is a notable former player at the academy, having joined the under-13 team in 2003.[7][8][9] After leaving in 2005 to return to IF Brommapojkarna, he signed a three-year-deal with Manchester City as a 16-year-old in 2008.

Nat. Name Date of birth (age) Years at academy Club after academy Current club[a] Source(s)
KenyaSven Yida (1998-12-18) 18 December 1998 February 2006–November 2015 Kenya Sharks Kenya Sharks [10]
NigeriaJeremiah Bright (1993-05-30) 30 May 1993 April 2010–November 2012 Kenya Tusker Kenya Ligi Ndogo [11]
SwedenJohn Guidetti (1992-04-15) 15 April 1992 September 2003–December 2005 Sweden IF Brommapojkarna Spain Alavés [12][7][8][9][13]
KenyaAyub Masika (1992-09-10) 10 September 1992 January–December 2004 Kenya JMJ Academy Belgium Lierse [12]
KenyaHumphrey Mieno (1989-09-25) 25 September 1989 February–September 2004 Kenya Sofapaka Kenya Tusker [12]
KenyaPaul Thiong'o (1995-08-12) 12 August 1995 January–December 2004 Kenya Impala Italy Colligiana [12][14]

a. ^ Current club as of 7 October 2015.

Honours
  • Kenya Private Secondary Schools League (1): 2005

References
  1. "LIGI NDOGO". Gbs Kenya on YouTube. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  2. "Ligi Ndogo to defend Trophy in Manchester". KenyaFootball.com. 24 July 2008. Archived from the original on 1 January 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  3. "Ogutu set for Liverpool trials". Futaa.com. 6 October 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  4. "Ogutu heads for Liverpool trials". Futaa.com. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  5. "Former Ligi Ndogo player Chris Ogutu joins UK Academy". Futaa.com. 14 August 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  6. "Into Africa: LFC in Kenya". Liverpool Football Club. LiverpoolFC.com. 4 November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  7. "Taking the Toon". Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England). Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  8. "Ligi Ndogo's UK Tour". AllAfrica. Retrieved July 15, 2004.
  9. "Ligi Ndogo's UK Tour 2004". misterseed. August 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-08-07.
  10. Elvince Joshua (9 November 2018). "Sven set to stay at Sharks (profile)". goal.com. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  11. Timothy Olobulu (16 March 2012). "Jeremiah Bright (profile)". MichezoAfrika.com. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  12. Timothy Olobulu (16 March 2012). "Ligi Ndogo - The unsung heroes of Kenyan soccer". MichezoAfrika.com. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  13. "Ligi Ndogo player signed by Manchester City". KenyaFootball.com. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  14. Paul Thiong'o. "Paul Thiong'o (bio)". paulthiongo.wordpress.com. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
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