DBA Africa’s Rising U15 Stars Light Up KSSSA 7s

Four Futures Cup standouts lead Mahiakalo JSS to Western Region glory in the KSSSA U15 7s, showcasing the power of DBA Africa’s youth development pathway.

“There was something different about the boys from Mahiakalo Junior Secondary School. You could see it in the way they carried themselves onto the pitch,calm, connected, and completely unbothered by the fact that they were lining up against older, bigger opponents.” Commented Coach Hassan from DBA Western Academy. “By the time the final whistle blew on the Western Region KSSSA Under-15 7s, everyone knew their names.”

At the heart of it all was captain Harrison Mekula, already a familiar figure within DBA Africa Western Wanderers grassroots circles. Fresh off a call-up to the 2025 DBA Africa Dream Team that toured Uganda, Mekula led from the front with a maturity beyond his years, organizing, communicating, and stepping up when it mattered most. Alongside him were Harrison Ateku, Cyril Andayi, and Malvin Alwanda, four boys who had already shared a bigger stage at the 2024 Futures Cup with Western Wanderers. That experience showed.

Mahiakalo’s run through the tournament was nothing short of commanding:

• Mahiakalo 7 – Vihiga 0
• Mahiakalo 5 – Busia 0
• Mahiakalo 10 – Bungoma 5

Three games, three wins, and just a single try conceded the entire tournament, but the numbers only tell part of the story.

What stood out was the cohesion. This wasn’t just a school team finding its rhythm, it was a group shaped by a grassroot system embedded with life skills and other programmes. The entire squad forms part of the Kabras/DBA U15 development pathway, a structure that is quietly redefining how early talent is nurtured in Kenyan rugby.

And then there was Malvin Alwanda, for those who have followed DBA Africa, the name carries a certain weight. Malvin is the younger brother of Rayvon “Forest” Olindi, whose journey has already been documented as one of the program’s standout stories. But Malvin is not living in anyone’s shadow. Throughout the tournament, he was everywhere, breaking lines, rallying teammates, and showing a natural authority that lifted those around him. His impact wasn’t just in moments, it was in momentum. 

What makes this story even more compelling is the context. These boys were not just competing, they were stepping up an age grade, facing older opposition, and still dictating the tempo of games. That doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of consistent exposure, structured coaching, and an environment that prioritizes both skill and game intelligence from an early age. DBA Africa’s model is proving that when young players are trusted, challenged, and supported, they don’t just adapt, they excel.

Winning the Western Region title and booking a spot at the nationals is a milestone, but within DBA Africa, it’s also part of a bigger picture, because if this is what the next generation already looks like, then the bar for the 2026 Futures Cup, set for July, is about to rise significantly. These are not just prospects anymore. They’re setting the standard.