The clip/SCREENGRAB
In a moment that captured the heart of football fans around the world, a classroom in Kenya became the unlikely epicentre of global football enthusiasm.
What began as a simple video of schoolchildren chanting in support of Manchester United quickly snowballed into a viral sensation — drawing reactions from prominent figures in the sport, including celebrated journalist Fabrizio Romano and Manchester United star Matheus Cunha, sparking waves of excitement across Kenyan social media.
The story originated with Elly Mtesi, a Kenyan teacher who shared a TikTok video featuring his pupils.
In the clip, the classroom transforms into a miniature stadium as the children sing a spirited, rhythmic rendition of “Glory, Glory Man United,” the iconic anthem of the English club.
Their synchronised clapping and infectious energy turned a routine school moment into something far bigger.
What made the video especially captivating was the teacher’s creative lead.
Mtesi playfully encouraged the children by calling out a chant phrase popular in Kenyan political rallies — “machester ni faya si faya, ni noma si noma, tialala, tibim!” — which the students repeated enthusiastically, adding both local flavour and joyous passion to their rendition.
The clip soon caught the attention of Fabrizio Romano, the well-known Italian football journalist whose transfer news and insights reach millions of football fans worldwide.
When Romano shared the video with his vast following, it propelled the classroom moment beyond Kenyan borders and into global football discourse.
Among those moved by the video was Matheus Cunha, Manchester United’s dynamic forward.
Cunha acknowledged the classroom performance on social media by resharing the clip accompanied by a string of affectionate emojis — including the Kenyan flag, dancing figures, and heart-eyes.
His gesture resonated deeply, turning a viral moment into a personal connection between a global athlete and young fans thousands of miles away.
Cunha’s response underscores the broad appeal of such authentic displays of fandom.
The Brazilian, who has emerged as a key figure at Manchester United since his transfer to the club, continues to be a fan favorite — and moments like this reinforce the emotional ties that bind supporters and players alike.
Kenyan fans react
Back home, the reaction was immediate and jubilant. Kenyan Manchester United supporters took to social media to celebrate the global recognition of their classroom stars.
One TikTok user, Duncan didi, quipped at Romano’s handle: “does this teacher know fabrizio just posted him,” followed by a laughing emoji, capturing the delight and disbelief many felt.
Another fan, mr kibet, informed the teacher directly — “unajua kweli umepostiwa na Fabrizio?” (do you know you’ve just been posted by Fabrizio?).
Some used humor and local slang to reflect on the moment.
A comment by King Altarz0 joked, “leo Watoto hawachapwi,” humorously alluding to corporal punishment in Kenyan schools, while others playfully referenced the so-called “Cunha dance,” praising the teacher for performing it better than Cunha himself.
The Cunha dance is a goal celebration popularised by Brazilian footballer Matheus Cunha.
He first performed it after scoring the winning goal for Manchester United in their 3–2 Premier League win over Arsenal on January 25, 2026.
The dance is distinctive and catchy, quickly going viral on social media, especially TikTok, because fans found it easy to copy.
It involves a rhythmic, playful movement that mimics Cunha’s celebration style, and it has since inspired fans — including the Kenyan classroom in the viral video — to recreate it.
Another commenter under Romano’s post wrote: “our Kenyan teacher trends global, that pain from cunha dance is being felt at lindon corner,” combining pride with playful banter — a testament to how thoroughly the video captured local imagination.
The viral classroom video — now with over 1.7 million views and 245,000 likes — highlights how football transcends geography.
In an age when social media can project a local scene onto the world stage with a single post, the connection between young Kenyan fans and global football icons speaks to the universality of passion for the game.
It’s a refreshing reminder that some of the sport’s most genuine expressions of fandom come from its youngest supporters, anywhere in the world.
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