One Man, One Ball, One Dream: The Story of Edward ‘Teco’ Murimi, Kenya’s Top Freestyle Footballer

• 'Teco' is a freestyle footballer who became famous for performances on Nairobi's streets
• A viral video propelled the Kenyan's journey from local gigs to international performances
• Despite his challenges, he remains committed to inspiring and mentoring young freestylers

In the bustling streets of Nairobi, amidst the rhythm of daily life, there exists a performer whose artistry with a football mesmerizes onlookers and captivates hearts.

Edward "Teco" Murimi isn't your average footballer.

Forget grassy pitches and organized teams, his domain is the busy streets of the capital city, where he weaves magic with a ball at his feet.

His journey began on the more traditional football field. A childhood injury, however, forced him to switch gears.

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Sports Brief chatted with Teco to get a sense of where his career began and what he plans to achieve with his craft in the future.

Inspired by the dazzling footwork of Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, he turned to freestyle football, a discipline that combines athleticism with artistic flair. He honed his skills by emulating his idol's moves and diving deep into online tutorials.

"I used to watch Ronaldinho on TV every day and go out to practice exactly what I saw, but I never knew there were competitions for freestylers. That’s when I got on YouTube and started learning more skills and juggles," he explained.

One seemingly ordinary day in Nairobi took Teco's talent viral. As reported on Team Kenya, a friend jokingly offered 300 Kenyan shillings to showcase his skills. The impromptu performance was filmed and uploaded on TikTok. Little did he know, the simple act would propel him onto the international stage.

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The video caught the eye of ESPN, the global sports media giant, who shared it with millions of followers. Suddenly, Teco's freestyle mastery had over 30 million views, and many performance opportunities came his way.

Germany trip to watch Bayern Munich

Teco never thought he would go to Germany. A chance encounter with an Austrian friend led to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at a Bayern Munich game.

"I never planned to go to Germany, but after we watched a football match in Pandorf, after the game right outside the stadium, I bumped into some kids playing ball and decided to jump in. Immediately, people started to crowd and enjoy my performance, and that’s when a man approached me and told me he could take me to watch the Bayern Munich game in Germany. We exchanged contacts, and we went two days later. We went to a Bayern game, in Regensburg, where I did a show with a packed stadium. The crowd enjoyed and showed respect. It’s one experience that will live with me forever," he recalled.

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However, freestyling in Kenya is not without its challenges. As the WFFA reported, the World Freestyle Football Championship took place in the country in November last year. Teco has persevered from training in the pouring rain to facing disapproval from city officials who view his art as akin to acrobatics. Financial hurdles are another obstacle. Travelling to international competitions can be a struggle, with corporate sponsorships often falling short.

Teco's hope for Freestyle football in Kenya

Despite the difficulties, he remains a beacon of hope for aspiring freestylers in Kenya. He dreams of a day when every country boasts a skilled freestyler, paving the way for a national team to compete on the world stage.

"Most people in Kenya don’t consider Freestyle football a sport. They think of it as an art, like acrobatics. Sometimes you have to fend for yourself financially to attend World Championship events, which is very difficult. You try to raise enough money but you don’t on time," he said.

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Looking ahead, Teco has a clear vision. He aspires to dedicate more time to nurturing young talent, sharing his knowledge, and refining their skills. He also hopes to secure more corporate gigs and expand his social media reach, attracting more significant sponsorships. His ultimate dream, however, is to establish a foundation to support aspiring freestylers across Kenya.

"I know in the next 2 years my dream will come true, I always wanted to support young kids. This year, I want gigs with more companies, and get more following in social media to attract more corporates. I thank all Kenyans for the support, I have 1 million followers on TikTok. I want to upgrade my content and have more time with more Kenyan freestylers to help them improve and improve the sport as well," he concluded.

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Last year, Sports Brief reported that Algeria's Ali Yahia won the Freestyle Connect Africa 2023 event, and went home with a grand prize of $3000.

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Ramy Boujlil of Morocco, who finished second, took home $2000, while Egypt's Mohamed Gamal claimed the third spot, taking home $1000.

The winners also went home with DLK Clothing Signature's merchandise.