At 70, Virginia Mumbua Keeps Her Love of Football Alive in Nairobi

At an age when many people might be taking a quieter approach to daily life, 70-year-old Virginia Mumbua is still putting on her football kit and heading onto the pitch.

Mumbua lives in Kibera, Nairobi, one of Africa’s largest informal settlements. After finishing her daily chores, she joins the women of the Mugumoin football team for training.

Football Is Still Part of Her Life

Mumbua trains alongside her teammates on a modest football field surrounded by corrugated-metal homes.

She takes part in warm-ups and training sessions just like the other players, continuing a passion for football despite being decades older than many people who take part in the sport.

Her presence has become a striking reminder that a love of sport does not necessarily disappear with age.

A Team Built by Women

The Mugumoin team is one of the women’s football groups providing a space for local women to play, train and spend time together.

For Mumbua, joining the team means keeping active while staying connected with people in her community.

Her routine is simple: take care of her responsibilities, then make time for the game she loves.

Inspiring Through Example

Images of Mumbua training with her teammates have drawn attention because of the determination she shows on the football field.

Her story also highlights the role community sport can play in bringing people together, regardless of age.

Rather than giving up a long-standing passion, Mumbua continues to make football part of her everyday life.

Still Showing Up for the Game

There is no complicated formula behind Mumbua’s routine. She simply continues to turn up, train and play alongside her teammates.

At 70, Virginia Mumbua is still finding time for football in the middle of everyday life — proving that a passion developed over the years can remain an important part of who someone is.

Sources

• Reuters Connect — “70-Year-Old Woman Keeps Football Passion Alive in Nairobi’s Kibera”
• Anadolu Agency — Photographs by Gerald Anderson, September 25, 2026