Vuvuzela fever: How Murang’a Seal and Shabana fans are redefining fandom

© MSEAL/Samwel Ogor

FKFPL Vuvuzela fever: How Murang’a Seal and Shabana fans are redefining fandom

Festus Chuma 21:20 - 22.11.2023

The vuvuzela has found a devoted following among Murang'a Seal and Shabana FC fans adding fervor to their matches.

If you have attended Murang’a Seal or Shabana FC matches in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) this season, you will have heard the buzzing sound of vuvuzelas.

At least everyone in our generation knows that the vuvuzela, a meter-long plastic horn blown by football fans, is loved and hated in equal measure for sounding like a herd of elephants or a hive of angry bees.

But did you know that this iconic instrument, known for its deafening presence during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has found a new home and a passionate following in the heart of Kenyan football? 

Murang’a Seal and Shabana FC fans have taken the vuvuzela-mania to a whole new level, infusing their matches with a cacophonous energy that has redefined the stadium experience.

Mainly, the vuvuzela came to light worldwide during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and since then, various manufacturers across the globe have been producing it.

©Shabana

This distinctive horn, measuring a full meter in length and loved and loathed in equal measure, has an interesting origin story.

It was conceived by a South African named Freddie Maake, who, despite living in a cramped house with nine children in Tembisa, a township near Johannesburg, managed to create the vuvuzela prototype in the mid-70s.

Over time, it evolved into versions made from aluminum and plastic. In 2001, a company trademarked and mass-produced it, marking the birth of an iconic sports accessory.

The intensity of the vuvuzela's sound first captured the attention of the global soccer community during the 2009 Confederation Cup held in South Africa.

It served as a precursor to the forthcoming World Cup in 2010. Despite the complaints of international commentators, players, and audiences, FIFA officially approved the vuvuzela as part of the signature South African World Cup experience.

It is not surprising that the international soccer community was astounded by the vuvuzela's loudness and its relentless chorus throughout the duration of a soccer match.

Recent tests have revealed that noise levels from a vuvuzela, at full volume and when pressed against your ear, can reach a staggering 127 decibels.

To put this into perspective, that is louder than a drum at 122 decibels, a chainsaw at 100 decibels, and even a referee's whistle at 121.8 decibels.

The Hear the World Foundation, established by Swiss hearing products group Phonak to raise awareness about hearing loss, has issued warnings about the risks of permanent hearing loss due to extended exposure to such noise.

Interestingly, while the vuvuzela was not banned during the 2010 World Cup, the global backlash it generated led FIFA to ban it from upcoming World Cup tournaments in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

UEFA also followed suit, banning the instrument from their organizations, including the Champions League, European Championship, and Europa League.

However, despite these bans, the vuvuzela continues to be widely used in matches across Africa, where it has added an unparalleled zest to the fans' experience.

But nowhere is the vuvuzela's resurgence more pronounced than in the passionate stands of Murang’a Seal and Shabana FC.

These two Kenyan football clubs have embraced the vuvuzela with open arms, and it seems to have become an integral part of their identity and a source of unbridled joy.

George Maina, a devoted fan of Murang’a Seal, shared his perspective on the vuvuzela's impact: "With the vuvuzela, we encourage our team while intimidating our opponents."

Shabana football fan, Evans MogoI, echoed a similar sentiment: "We rally our team with the vuvuzela."

For both teams, the vuvuzela is their battle cry, a musical expression of their loyalty to the team. It is an instrument that unites fans and players in their pursuit of victory.

In the competitive world of football, the atmosphere in the stands can be a game-changer.

The vuvuzela's unrelenting buzz has the remarkable ability to electrify the crowd, injecting an unparalleled energy into the stadium. It creates an auditory tapestry of passion, excitement, and collective spirit that transcends language barriers and unites fans in a symphony of support.

But the vuvuzela's resurgence is not just about making noise. It is about celebrating a unique piece of football culture that has found a new home in the hearts of Murang’a Seal and Shabana FC fans.

As the 2023/2024 FKFPL season unfolds, the vuvuzela's presence continues to grow, its resonant notes becoming synonymous with the passion and dedication of these two clubs' supporters.

While the rest of the world may have moved on from the vuvuzela, in the stadiums of Murang’a and Shabana, it thrives as a symbol of unwavering allegiance and a source of pure, unadulterated football joy.

So, the next time you find yourself in the midst of a Murang’a Seal or Shabana FC match, do not be surprised if the deafening buzz of the vuvuzela sweeps you off your feet. 

Embrace it, for it is not just a plastic horn; it is a testament to the enduring spirit of football and the unbreakable bond between a team and its fans. 

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