From Kawangware to Barcelona’s bright lights: Eloff’s journey to football stardom

In the bustling neighbourhood of Kawangware, a young boy once chased a tattered football across dusty streets, never imagining his love for the game would one day take him to the iconic footballing city of Barcelona.

At just 17 years old, Bradley Eloff has carved a path that few could have predicted, becoming an integral player for U.E Sant Andreu’s under-19 team in Spain.

U.E Sant Andreu is based in the district of Sant Andreu in Barcelona, Catalonia and was founded in 1909.

It plays in the Segunda Federacion-Group 3, holding home matches at Camp Municipal Narcis Sala, with an all-seated capacity of 6,563.

His journey from the unpolished pitches of Nairobi to the structured academies of Europe is a story of passion, grit and an unwavering love for football.

Bradley’s story began just as many stories do, with a simple love for the game.

“For me, it was something I would do not for the sake of training, not for the sake of going professional, but it was something that made me be with my friends and neighbours out there. When I was eight, I joined a team, and from there I simply kept going,” said Bradley.

The dusty pitches of Kawangware became his training ground, shaping his raw talent and instilling the values of hard work and determination.

But even then, he never imagined that those early steps would open an even greater door to one of the world’s most renowned nations in matters of football.

Spain is mainly revered as the nation that invented the ‘tiki-taka’ style of play on the global stage which has gone on to be used by numerous clubs and national teams. It is further home to two of the World’s biggest and most successful clubs; Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“I didn’t expect to be where I am today honestly, it came as a surprise, if anything, but my love for football has always been there; not just as a job or a profession, but for fun. I have always enjoyed it as it is something I would always do.”

Bradley’s path to Sant Andreu wasn’t direct. His first steps into professional football came when he joined the Avanza Football Academy in Montgat, Barcelona.

From there, he moved to the Kaptiva Sports Academy in Sant Cugat. It was during his time at Kaptiva that an opportunity arose—a chance to trial with U.E Sant Andreu.

Two years later, he was a key figure in the Sant Andreu setup, training among some of Spain’s finest young talents.

Even as he rises through the ranks in Spain, Bradley has never forgotten his roots. During the Christmas break, he returned to Kenya for three weeks, spending much of his time training with Magic 90, a local team in Kawangware.

For Bradley, going back is more than a routine—it’s a tribute to where it all began. “This is where I learnt to play football; I remember starting here as a young boy. I never knew how to juggle, or how to dribble, but I learned quickly, that’s a good thing. As you can see, our training is nothing over-complicated, just a couple of guys who come together and play football.”

Football may be his first love, but Bradley has never let it overshadow his education. Now in 12th grade at the AESA Prep Academy in Barcelona, he juggles school and football with remarkable discipline.

His parents, particularly his mother, have instilled in him the importance of academics.

“I have had previous academy mates or just mates in general that have said they are playing football and they forgot about school. For me, it has never been like that because my mum has helped me a lot. She has always insisted on school, and I agree with her because after football, I’m still a human being, so I plan to continue to university.”

His grounded approach sets him apart in an era where young athletes often forgo education in pursuit of professional success.

Bradley dreams of donning the Kenyan jersey, following in the footsteps of fellow Kenyan players in Spain like Adrian Kibet and Amos Wanjala of Nastic Sports Academy.

He has even faced Nastic in a match, bonding with the Kenyan players afterwards over their shared heritage.

“Honestly, I would just love the chance to play for the national team. It is something I have dreamt about multiple times. For me it is more so than just about myself, it is all about representing the country. Kenyans are amazing (in football), and that’s a fact that I know. So If I’m able to demonstrate that from a national viewpoint, I would feel amazing.”

Living in Spain has been an adjustment. From learning the language to embracing a different football philosophy, Bradley has faced challenges head-on.