Musa Shariff (right) battles for the ball with James Kinyanjui/HANDOUT
Shariff Musa stood before Gor Mahia supporters at the club's end-of-season gala with two awards in his hands and years of sacrifice behind his name.
As teammates celebrated another successful campaign, the winger chose to dedicate his achievements to a man whose tireless work as a school bus driver helped shape his football dream.
The 25-year-old winger was crowned Gor Mahia's Fans' Player of the Season and Most Improved Player after a breakthrough 2025/26 campaign that established him among the FKF Premier League's most influential attackers.
In an emotional tribute on Wednesday, Musa praised his father, Musa Sirengo Snr, for enduring long nights on the road across Kenya and East Africa to provide for his family while still finding time to support his son's football journey.
"Today I want to take this opportunity and thank Allah for this amazing human being," Musa wrote.
"Our fathers need some love too, and today I choose to celebrate this man."
The winger recalled how his father would spend days repairing broken buses, changing tyres in the rain and driving through sleepless nights to ensure his family lacked nothing. "Through his hard work and resilience, he helped shape my character," Musa said.
"No matter how life beat this man to the ground, he always got up, dusted himself off and gave us the best of the lives we dreamt of."
The story offers a glimpse into the remarkable rise of a player whose journey began on dusty school pitches in Bungoma County before reaching the heights of Kenyan football.
Musa attended Chesamisi High School between 2016 and 2019, where his pace and dribbling ability first caught the attention of local scouts. After completing his studies, he started his senior career with Kimilili United before moving to Soy United in the National Super League.
His performances earned him a chance with Kariobangi Sharks, where he gained valuable top-flight experience and developed the tactical maturity that would later define his game.
A move to Bidco United in 2023 proved to be the turning point.
The explosive winger became one of the league's most exciting talents, attracting interest from several Premier League clubs.
Ultimately, it was record champions Gor Mahia who won the race for his signature during the January 2024 transfer window.
Looking back on the sacrifices his father made during those formative years, Musa acknowledged the role he played in keeping his dream alive.
"He was there, and he made sure I had a pair of soccer boots from the small money he was supposed to be using for lunch during his trips," Musa said.
The move to Gor Mahia immediately brought success. Musa helped K'Ogalo secure the 2023/24 league title before emerging as one of the team's key performers over the next two seasons.
His finest campaign came in 2025/26 when he registered six goals and seven assists and created numerous scoring opportunities from the wing. His pace, creativity and consistency earned him a nomination for the SportPesa League Player of the Year award.
He also became the inaugural winner of the revived SportPesa Player of the Month award and collected seven Team of the Week selections during the season.
Musa credited his upbringing for the resilience that helped him navigate the challenges of professional football.
"Just a high school driver, but he made sure we never lacked," he said.
"So many times through Kenya and East Africa fixing a broken bus away from home, changing tyres in the rain, long hours of driving, sleepless cold nights away from his family."
His impressive form also earned national recognition, with the winger breaking into the Harambee Stars setup and becoming a regular member of the senior national team. Despite the accolades, Musa insists his journey is far from complete.
"I don't know about tomorrow, but the thing I know is that I'm going to make you proud and happy," he said. "So help me God."
The winger added: "God bless you, Top Striker. We will tell our story one day."
As Gor Mahia prepare for another domestic and continental campaign, Musa's rise serves as a reminder that behind every success story lies a foundation built on sacrifice. For the winger who once relied on his father's lunch money to buy football boots, the awards, titles and national team call-ups represent more than personal achievement. They are proof that the countless miles travelled by a devoted father were never in vain.
"Thank you, Dad," Musa said. "I'm proud of you, Musa Sirengo Snr. Long live the Buffaloes driver."
