Mozzart Sport writers’ sporting highlights of 2025
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Reading Time: 8min | Wed. 31.12.25. | 15:54
From major to minor events within the country and across the globe, a lot happened in the world of sports, leaving pure unforgettable memories
Every sporting event produces winners, numbers, records and even champions.
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For a sporting year, there are numerous of such events, and so was 2025, which was a bee-hive of sporting activities.
Celebrations were made, hearts were broken, time stopped, but for some, historical moments with emotions stirred as much as excitement
From major to minor events, from within the country and across the globe, a lot happened in the world of sports, leaving unforgettable memories.
For Mozzart Sport Writers, the events were not just about stories to be covered in the field or media center, match reports or interviews, but also experiences lived, and powerful moments beyond the headlines.
In this article, the writers bring their personal lens, and share their biggest sporting highlights of 2025.
Imran Otieno
After a 38-year protracted wait, Kenya finally quenched its thirst of hosting a major football showpiece, and delivered beyond expectations after staging a successful 2024 African Nations Championship.
At a time when the country was fragmented, football became the glue that bound the country together with our stadia packed to the rafters, and emblazoned with Kenyan flags.
The highlight of the tournament came in Harambee Stars beating eventual champions Morocco 1-0, courtesy of a Ryan Ogam strike.
All this was achieved despite Kenya being a man down after Chris Erambo was sent for an early shower. Safe to say that the crowd pushed the boys to victory, and also fattened their bank accounts.
Faith Kipyegon - 1500m Gold
Rarely in sport do you see direct rivals become the best of friends, and even more scarcely, do you witness one being overcome by emotions when watching their rival clinch gold at a major championship.
That was the case when Kipyegon redefined excellence by becoming the first woman to win four world titles in any distance-running event after storming to victory in the 1500m at the Tokyo World Championships.
The raw emotions embody what elite sport is all about not only about it being a rivalry but collective pride, empathy, and inspiration.
Meshack Kisenge
Rising Stars’ brave fight at AFCON
The Rising Stars may not have won a match at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals held in Egypt, but their brave displays won the hearts of Kenyans, going by the feedback shared on social media and other channels.
Making their first appearance at the tournament in recent times, Salim Babu’s boys proved they were good enough to compete with their North and West African counterparts.
Kenya narrowly lost 3–2 to Morocco, fell 3–1 to Tunisia, and drew 2–2 with Nigeria. While the results may not fully reflect the effort the team put in at the June 30 Stadium, their performances spoke volumes. Kenyans appeared to suggest that the entire team should be groomed for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Watching the boys express themselves so confidently on such a big stage was truly refreshing and an eye-opener—not only for me, but for the team as well.
Support for Reagan Otieno
Following Mozzart Sport’s coverage of Reagan Otieno’s story, Kenyans from all walks of life rallied behind him as he sought to raise funds for a kidney transplant.
Although the former KCB FC and Kenya Police FC man is yet to receive a kidney from his mother, it has been encouraging to see team captains, administrators, journalists, clubs, and other stakeholders step up to support the former national U23 team player as he undergoes treatment.
This truly reflects the spirit of sport.
Kevin Teya
I was impressed with Kenya’s run at CHAN. For a tournament that we only qualified as hosts, and being in the ‘group of death’, we gave a good account of ourselves by finishing on top of the group, and even winning against eventual champions Morocco.
The Harambee Starlets’ qualification to the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after 10 years was massive.
Perhaps the biggest of them all was Kenyan women athletes led by Faith Kipyegon, Lilian Odira and Beatrice Chebet stealing the show in the Tokyo World Championships.
Sammy Gitahi
Had you asked this question a while ago, say three weeks ago, it would have been easy - Lilian Odira doing the unthinkable to win 800m gold at the World Athletics Championships, stunning Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, defending champion Mary Moraa, and really the entire athletics world.
But since you delayed the question, my affinity to recency bias lends me towards a certain David "Why Not" Munyua, who in a few days time, became the people's champion after flying Kenya's flag high at the famed Ally Pally in the 2026 PDC World Darts Championships in London.
Thinking about it, a veterinarian who only picked up a dart three years ago, became a hero by making Kenyans see the so-called pub-game as a professional sport, caused a shock that rippled across the world after defeating 18th seed Mike de Decker while 'befriending' a wasp, awakened public conscious of how political PR in Kenyan sport works, earned a special visit to Stamford Bridge, and perhaps most importantly, took home millions.
A few weeks ago, Munyua was just a man from Kabati. Now, he is a global sensation.
Timing is key, I would say.
Victor Karuga
My highlight was 10th August, Kenya vs Morocco.
Underdogs against one of Africa’s most feared and eventually victorious sides.
Kasarani shook like a living thing, its pillars almost straining under the weight of thousands who sang, hoped, and believed together.
Then came Ryan Ogam’s brilliant turn, followed by that unforgettable 42nd-minute finish, and the stadium detonated in joy.
Strangers embraced, adults became children again, and even after the red card, Kenya fought for every minute like it was life itself.
That evening showed us all something powerful: whether organizing a tournament, selecting talent, or challenging giants, Kenya can, Kenya did, and Kenya will.
Brian Odhiambo
School Games
Covering the National School Games and the East Africa level was epic and something I would gladly do over and over again.
Watching young athletes hone their craft in football, volleyball and hockey was truly adrenaline-raising. Lacrosse was also introduced this year, and hopefully the competition grows even bigger and better in 2026.
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Agai High School completely stole my heart with their performances, especially considering they were underdogs and first-time participants. Their captain, Moses Otieno, stood out in the number 10 role and grabbed the spotlight.
Houstin Oluoch of Musingu High School was equally impressive, alongside his teammates Boaz Mushira, Abu Swaleh and Julius Ochieng. They were outstanding, and hopefully the football world brings them into the limelight soon.
National Super League
As 2025 comes to a close, I add another year of experience covering the National Super League.
While nothing hugely impactful stood out, the reduction in walkovers across the league was commendable. There was also noticeable growth in media engagement from the teams.
Mozzart Bet capped it all by injecting over KSh 18 million into the league, a move that significantly improved competitiveness.
Alvin Wesonga
One of my standout hockey moments of the year was the Nairobi County Hockey Association elections, held in November at Parklands Sports Club.
Beyond the significance of the vote itself, the outcome marked a clear shift in leadership philosophy for a county that hosts over 85 per cent of teams in the Kenya Hockey Union leagues.
Having covered Nairobi hockey closely, I understand the vision, values and ideologies of the newly elected officials, led by President Peter Njoroge Nyambura.
Their emphasis on transparent governance, structured competitions, grassroots development and sustainable funding presents a strong blueprint for progress.
If successfully implemented, this leadership model has the potential to not only elevate Nairobi hockey but also set a benchmark for how the sport should be administered across the country.
Gad Isaac
Hosting a major tournament for the first time in 38 years made CHAN my biggest sporting highlight of the year.
I was not yet born when Kenya hosted the All-Africa Games in 1987, and so CHAN provided an unforgettable experience for me.
Covering the tournament before, during and after made me learn a lot in terms of organization and made me experience first hand the role of the media in growing the sporting industry, and how important the media is regarded in established tournaments.
Across the board, CHAN left great lessons for Kenya and I am now looking forward to covering the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil. Inshallah.
Tabby Nashipae
Omanyala setting a 150m record in Atlanta
This moment coincided with my birthday, making it even more special. Watching Omanyala blaze past the finish line to set a new African and Kenyan 150m record of 14.70 seconds at the Adidas Atlanta City Games remains one of my all-time favourite sporting memories.
Volunteering for CHAN
I stepped away from my usual media duties to volunteer as a media volunteer at CHAN, and what an experience it was.
I met journalists from different parts of the world, picked up a bit of French to communicate better, encountered both rude and incredibly kind people, and even walked away with thoughtful gifts from some. Beyond the financial gain, CHAN was a truly enriching and unforgettable experience.
Kenya hosting the Africa Women’s 7s
For the second time, Kenya hosted the Africa Women’s 7s, and it was nothing short of inspiring. Women journalists, female competitors, female MCs; women everywhere. Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa continue to show impressive progress in the development of women’s rugby, and I’m grateful to be witnessing this growth firsthand.
Lilian Odira winning 800m gold
Odira crowned herself the queen of two laps after storming to gold in the 800m final at the World Championships in Tokyo.
She outkicked Moraa and favourite Hodgkinson in a race that will be remembered for years.
Nancy Nduku elected Tennis Kenya Secretary General
And what a way to end the year. Congratulations, Nancy! I have witnessed her hard work and dedication to the game over the years, and the role of Secretary General fits her perfectly.
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