Brenda Mongina: How Arsenal Fan Turned Football Passion into Thriving Eleven Eleven TV

Brenda Mongina opened up about her journey from playing football as a young girl to building Eleven Eleven TV into a growing football platform

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Brenda spoke about navigating male-dominated football media and why she refuses to shrink herself

She revealed her plans for Eleven Eleven TV, while TUKO.co.ke also explored how TikTok is reshaping the way fans experience football across Africa

For many football fans, Brenda Mongina is a familiar face on their screens, breaking down matches, discussing tactics and capturing the energy surrounding Kenyan and African football.

However, behind the TikTok videos and commentary is a communications and digital marketing professional whose relationship with football began long before she picked up a camera.

Brenda has been playing football since primary school, an experience that gave her a firsthand understanding of the passion, discipline and community that surround the beautiful game.

Today, she is the brains behind Eleven Eleven TV, a fast-growing football platform built around telling African football stories from the perspective of the people who live and breathe the sport.

Who is Brenda Mongina?

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Brenda opened up about her journey into football content creation, the challenges of building a career in a male-dominated sports media space, her love for Arsenal, Ulinzi Stars and Vihiga Queens, meeting AFTV founder Robbie Lyle and her ambitions for Eleven Eleven TV.

"I’m Brenda Mongina, a communications and digital marketing professional, an athlete at heart, and the founder and lead voice behind Eleven Eleven TV," she said.

Brenda's entry into football content creation was not driven by a desire to simply become another football personality on social media.

Instead, she said it came from noticing a gap in the way African football was being told.

Her experience as a player had exposed her to the talent and passion existing at grassroots level, while her communications background gave her the skills to document and package those stories for a wider audience.

"My journey into football content creation started from a genuine desire to tell African football stories with the depth, energy, and authenticity they deserve," Brenda explained.

She had noticed that local fan culture, grassroots talent, player journeys and the tactical side of the game were often overlooked.

Rather than wait for someone else to tell those stories, Brenda decided to do it herself.

"I picked up my camera, hit the touchlines, and began capturing raw matchday energy, player stories, and tactical breakdowns, sharing them across platforms such as TikTok to connect with football fans in real time," she said.

What began as a personal mission eventually evolved into Eleven Eleven TV, a platform dedicated to celebrating African football from its roots. For Brenda, the goal has always been bigger than producing viral videos.

She wants to tell stories that bring supporters closer to the players, communities and culture behind the game while giving grassroots football a platform.

Which football teams does Brenda support?

Away from her work as a football creator, Brenda is also an unapologetic football fan. Her teams of choice are Arsenal, Ulinzi Stars and Vihiga Queens.

Her connection to the clubs, she explained, goes beyond simply watching them play, as she is drawn to their culture, history and style of football, as well as the communities that have developed around them.

However, her passion for football dates back much further than her days as a content creator.

Brenda has played football since primary school and was part of Goals for Christ, a community that combined sport and ministry.

Playing the game herself gave her an understanding of the grit and teamwork required on the pitch while also exposing her to the grassroots communities that would later influence her work.

It was through those experiences that Brenda began appreciating just how many stories existed away from the biggest stadiums.

She wanted to use her communications background to bring those stories to the forefront.

How does Brenda navigate the male-dominated world of football media?

Football content creation remains largely male-dominated, something Brenda has experienced firsthand. She has encountered scepticism, had her knowledge questioned and sometimes been underestimated when covering matches.

However, rather than seeing those experiences as a reason to step back, Brenda chose to use them as motivation.

"What inspired me was simple. I knew my voice, perspective, and understanding of the game had value," she said.

"I didn't see the male-dominated nature of the industry as a barrier, but as a reason to show up, take up space, and set a standard."

She affirmed that credibility has been built through consistency and the quality of her work.

According to her, tactical understanding, preparation and production quality eventually speak louder than the assumptions people may have about women covering football.

"As a woman in sports media, the challenges often come in the form of initial scepticism, having your knowledge constantly cross-examined, or being underestimated on matchdays," she said.

"But I let my work ethic, tactical clarity, and consistency do the talking."

That experience has strengthened her belief that football media should be open to anyone who genuinely understands and loves the game.

"Overcoming those hurdles has only fueled my commitment to proving that football commentary belongs to anyone who genuinely loves and understands the game," Brenda added.

Her experience has also shaped the kind of legacy she hopes to create, particularly for young women who may want to follow a similar path.

How did TikTok help Brenda build a football community?

Brenda's match analysis and commentary have helped her establish a loyal audience on TikTok, but she says there is considerable work that happens before viewers see the finished video.

From tracking live statistics and studying tactical setups to scripting hooks, filming pitchside and editing, each piece of content requires preparation.

"A lot of unseen preparation goes into every piece of content, from tracking live match stats and analysing tactical setups to scripting tight hooks, filming pitchside, and editing high-energy videos," she said.

TikTok has been particularly important because of its ability to connect creators with audiences almost instantly.

For Brenda, the platform allows her to capture the immediate emotions surrounding football matches and join conversations while they are still fresh.

"TikTok has been game-changing because of its speed and reach," she explained.

"It allows us to capture the immediate pulse of the fans right after a match and spark real-time conversations."

However, football fans can be very passionate and often do not take criticism of their teams well.

Brenda has therefore had to find a balance between giving honest opinions and respecting supporters from different clubs.

She said her solution is to remain grounded in tactical analysis rather than allowing club rivalries to dictate her commentary.

"Fans might disagree with the opinion of their team, but they respect it when the analysis is honest, fair, and delivered with genuine passion," she said.

Her experience is also a reflection of how social media has changed sports conversations, particularly for football fans who increasingly want to participate in the discussion rather than simply consume what traditional broadcasters offer.

What does Brenda think about the growth of women's football after WAFCON?

The growing attention on women's football has also been significant for Brenda.

She explained to TUKO.co.ke that Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has helped challenge long-held perceptions about the quality and commercial potential of women's football in Africa.

"WAFCON has fundamentally shifted perceptions by demonstrating that women’s football in Africa offers world-class quality, tactical brilliance, and immense commercial value," she said.

According to Brenda, the tournament also demonstrated the impact of giving women's football the same level of production and visibility that major men's competitions enjoy.

"It proved that when women's sports receive proper production quality and broadcast visibility, the fan engagement is massive," she added.

However, she believes the challenge is keeping the interest going after the tournament ends.

Brenda called for longer domestic leagues, better training facilities, more sponsorship and regular media coverage throughout the year.

She believes women's football needs continued support at the grassroots and domestic levels instead of relying only on major international tournaments.

Did Brenda meet AFTV star Robbie Lyle?

One of the standout moments in Brenda's journey came when she spent time with Robbie Lyle, the founder of AFTV, and his team.

For an Arsenal supporter who had built her own career around fan-led football content, the experience was particularly meaningful.

AFTV has become one of the best-known examples of how fan voices can develop into a major sports media platform.

For Brenda, meeting Lyle felt like a full-circle moment.

"Connecting and spending time with Robbie Lyle and the AFTV crew was an inspiring full-circle experience," she said.

"Robbie revolutionised fan-led sports media globally, proving that fan voices could challenge traditional broadcast giants."

She said the conversations also touched on content creation as a business, staying authentic and the opportunities created by platforms such as TikTok.

For Brenda, the encounter provided validation that there is room for independent, fan-led platforms within the future of football media.

"We talked about content creation as a real business, staying authentic, and how platforms like TikTok are creating new opportunities for football creators to connect with fans in real time," she said.

The experience also reinforced her belief that the future of football storytelling will increasingly be driven by fans and grassroots creators.

"It reinforced that fan-centric, grassroots-driven storytelling is the future of football media," Brenda said.

What did Brenda say about grassroots football?

During the same experience, Brenda watched a grassroots football match organised by George Ruto, President William Ruto's son.

What stood out to her was the raw talent on the pitch and the community that had gathered around it.

"What stood out most was the unpolished talent on the pitch and the incredible community support surrounding the touchlines," Brenda said.

"The energy was electric, proving that the heart of Kenyan football beats loudest in our local neighbourhoods."

Her experience reinforced her belief that grassroots football is the foundation upon which Kenya's football future must be built.

Brenda believes community tournaments, access to pitches and early player development are crucial if Kenya is to develop a sustainable pipeline of talent.

"Without strong community tournaments, youth pitch access, and early player development, you cannot build a sustainable pipeline for national teams or continental representation," she said.

"Investing at the grassroots level is how we nurture raw talent into elite athletes."

For a creator whose own football journey began at grassroots level, the issue is personal.

It is also one of the reasons Brenda wants Eleven Eleven TV to go beyond match commentary and create opportunities for players and communities that might otherwise struggle to attract attention.

What are Brenda's biggest moments so far?

Looking back at her journey, Brenda said her proudest moments have not necessarily been about follower numbers or viral videos.

Instead, she measures her impact by what Eleven Eleven TV has been able to accomplish away from the screen.

She highlighted the platform's coverage of major continental competitions, international fixtures at the FIFA Series in Rwanda and Kenya and initiatives aimed at supporting players.

"My proudest moments come from seeing our work make a real difference on the ground," she said.

However, the biggest sign that Eleven Eleven TV had grown was its community.

Brenda pointed to merchandise sales and the young players who attend the platform's events as examples of how the audience has become part of the project.

"From our merchandise sales doing so well, with fans proudly wearing our custom gear, to seeing young players turn up to our events, it showed me that Eleven Eleven TV has become a community built around a shared love for football," she said.

That community is now at the heart of the platform's next phase.

What plans does Brenda have for Eleven Eleven TV?

Brenda is already preparing for the next stage of Eleven Eleven TV's growth. The platform is set to launch its fifth Eleven Eleven Players Clinic after hosting four previous editions, with each clinic averaging around 60 sign-ups.

The clinics focus on hands-on player development, tactical mentorship and providing grassroots talent with direct exposure.

According to Brenda, the initiative represents an opportunity to take the work beyond digital storytelling and directly contribute to player development. Eleven Eleven TV is also preparing to expand its continental coverage.

Brenda told TUKO.co.ke that she wants the platform to have a stronger presence across East Africa, covering domestic leagues, the CAF Champions League and major international windows such as the FIFA Series.

The platform is also preparing to release new merchandise and expand fan engagement activities as it continues building its community.

While the projects may vary, the central idea remains the same: connecting football fans, players and communities through storytelling.

What advice did Brenda give women interested in her line of work?

Beyond football content and Eleven Eleven TV, Brenda hopes her journey can inspire other young women who want to build careers in sports.

She wants women across Africa to see that they can pursue opportunities in sports journalism, content creation and football management without feeling like outsiders.

"I want to leave behind an open door and a proven blueprint," she said.

"I want young women across Africa to see Eleven Eleven TV and know that they don't need to shrink themselves or ask for permission to excel in sports journalism, content creation, or football management."

Her story reflects the journey she has taken. From playing football as a young girl to creating content on TikTok and building her own football platform, Brenda has turned her passion for the game into a growing career.

However, Brenda's journey also mirrors a much bigger transformation happening in sports media.

How has football redefined sports coverage?

Football is increasingly moving beyond traditional matchday coverage, with social platforms giving fans, creators and athletes new ways to participate in the conversation. In Kenya, that transformation is particularly visible on TikTok.

Data from GlobalWebIndex (GWI) shows that 80% of TikTok users in Kenya follow football, while 42% actively participate in the sport, highlighting just how popular football is among Kenyan TikTok users.

The figures help explain why football content has found such a receptive audience on the platform.

TikTok has increasingly become a destination for match reactions, fan chants, creator commentary, behind-the-scenes moments, tactical analysis and football debates.

Through #SportsOnTikTok, more than 6.5 million videos have been created, bringing together fans, athletes, clubs and creators around different sporting codes.

The platform's influence is not limited to individual matches. From AFCON celebrations and Olympic reactions to tactical breakdowns and creator-led storytelling, sports communities are using TikTok to extend the experience beyond the scheduled time of a game.

In that sense, the platform has become more than just a place to watch sports highlights. It has become a space where sports culture is created in real time, and Brenda's experience is a clear example of that.

Her matchday videos, tactical analysis and conversations with fans are part of a broader ecosystem where creators can take audiences directly into the experience of following a team or competition.

Across Africa, TikTok has become an important space for football communities to come together during major tournaments.

Fans are no longer simply watching matches; they are reacting to them, debating decisions, creating memes, analysing performances, celebrating victories and sharing their experiences with other supporters.

In Kenya, the passion is particularly evident. The 80% figure among TikTok users who follow football highlights the scale of the audience, while the 42% who actively participate points to an even deeper level of engagement.

That enthusiasm continues to drive football-related conversations on hashtags such as #soccer, #football, #kenyafootball and #CHAN2025.

During AFCON 2025, more than 1.2 million posts were created globally under #AFCON2025, with 28.6% of those posts coming from Sub-Saharan Africa.

The figures show that African football fans are not just consuming football content; they are also actively joining and shaping the conversation.

That shift is particularly important for creators like Brenda, whose work depends on turning the energy around football into stories that can be shared far beyond the stadium.

How has TikTok changed the way fans experience football?

The growth of sports content on TikTok is also changing what happens before and after matches.

Globally, 85% of sports fans use TikTok as a second-screen experience, according to TikTok Sports Messaging Research conducted in collaboration with Ipsos.

The research also found that 42% of fans are more likely to tune in to live matches after watching sports content on TikTok.

That suggests the relationship between social media and live sport is becoming increasingly complementary rather than competitive.

Fans can watch a match on television while simultaneously following reactions, analysis and conversations on TikTok.

The supplied research shows that 90% of fans globally take at least one action outside TikTok after viewing sports content on the platform, while 72% of global TikTok users enjoy watching fan edits, reaction videos and other fan-made sports content.

Through hashtags such as #Soccer and #SportsOnTikTok, football is no longer simply something fans watch; it is something they experience, share and shape collectively.

That is the same shift Brenda has experienced firsthand through Eleven Eleven TV.

How are women shaping the future of sports content on TikTok?

The transformation is also creating more space for women to participate in sports fandom.

According to the supplied TikTok data, 64% of women globally choose TikTok as their go-to destination for sports content, while women accounted for 46% of all sports-related TikTok views in the first half of 2025.

The figures point to a growing role for women not only as sports viewers but as participants in the wider digital sports community. For Brenda, that evolution carries particular significance.

Her own experience has involved navigating a football media environment where women are sometimes forced to prove their knowledge before being taken seriously.

Yet the rise of creator-led sports media is giving people with different backgrounds and perspectives new opportunities to establish themselves.

Brenda's journey from football player to content creator and founder of Eleven Eleven TV is one example of that change. From watching football to shaping football culture.

Does George Ruto own a sports company?

TUKO.co.ke previously highlighted facts about George and his diverse entrepreneurial pursuits across various sectors.

He owns 82 Sports, an initiative that supports grassroots football through competitions such as the 82 Sports Ultimate Cup.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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