Z Esports has become one of the most interesting stories in Kenya’s EA Sports FC scene, not simply because of the trophies its players have won, but because of what the organization has built around young talent.

When people hear the name, they think of players such as Shaq, Trex, Collo Gamer, Bashir, Dennoh, Tornado and Regulus. Some are no longer wearing the team’s jersey, while others remain part of the project. But there is a common thread connecting many of them: at some point, they were young players being given a platform to improve.

That is what makes this organization different.

While some esports teams focus mainly on signing players who have already established themselves, Z has spent years trying to identify talent early, expose young gamers to stronger competition and give them the environment to grow.

And sometimes, the results have been spectacular.

Shaq is perhaps the clearest example. He started his competitive journey with the organization before moving to Phoenix Esports, where his career has continued to explode. In 2026, he went on to become the only Kenyan to make the 128-player African ENC ladder, eventually qualifying for the Esports Nations Cup in Saudi Arabia.

For Z, that achievement belongs to Shaq and Phoenix today. But it also says something about where the journey began.

The Story Behind Z Esports

The story actually goes further back than the Z name. According to co-founder Bongez, Football Esports House (FEH) began in 2020. But there is an important distinction: FEH was not originally a competitive esports team.

It was more of a bridge cutting across different esports selections, with the founders eventually moving toward an academy-style idea. As that project developed, Bongez and Floky felt there was a need for a separate organization that could compete, develop players and build a proper identity around them.

That was the beginning of the journey that eventually became Z.

One of the earliest important moments came in 2024 at the Safaricom M-PESA Go event, where only players under 18 were competing. Bongez met four young gamers there – Atak, Maestro, Shaq, Dennoh and Iannoh – and began conversations with them.

The project initially started with Atak and Maestro while the founders continued building the structure behind the scenes. It was still a work in progress.

The team became active toward the end of 2024, and after the transition into Z, the organization began signing young players including Shaq and Dennoh, followed later by Trex, Iannoh, Tornado and Regulus.

The name itself also had a very deliberate meaning. Bongez and Floky chose the letter Z because it represents the Omega, the final letter of the alphabet.

For them, Z Esports represents the ultimate Omega; the idea that many teams can come and go, but this organization wants to remain at the top and stand the test of time. That ambition has shaped the project ever since.

“Z Esports means the last one to be formed that will reign forever. Many teams will form, but we will still be there.” Floky told East Gamers News.

Z Esports Had to Earn Its Place

The early days were not glamorous. In fact, the team started with plenty of losses.

One of its first tournaments was in Pipeline, Nairobi, in 2024. The next came in Thika at MKU, where both Dennoh and Shaq were eliminated by Jojo Depay, who at the time was regarded as one of the best players around.

Then came the Nivea Tournament in 2024. Dennoh managed to reach third place after being disqualified in controversial circumstances on his route toward the final against Mkuluu, while Shaq suffered a first-round defeat to Jinx. Dennoh walked away with a Bluetooth speaker worth Ksh 25,000 for the third-place finish.

For a new organization trying to convince people that its young players belonged among the best, those results could easily have killed the momentum. Instead, they became part of the learning process.

The players were being exposed to stronger opponents, tournament pressure and the reality of competitive FC. Then came the day everything changed.

The Day the Team Announced Itself

Two major tournaments were taking place at the same time in December 2024 – the Crosbow Gaming tournament and the tournament at BBS Mall in Eastleigh.

The organization split its players between the two events.

• Maestro and Shaq represented the team at Crosbow Gaming Lounge.
• Dennoh and Trex competed at BBS Mall.

And suddenly, the results were different. Shaq finished runner-up. Dennoh also finished runner-up. Both players reached the podium and collected significant prize money.

For the organization, this was more than two second-place finishes. It was the start of their dominance in Kenya’s gaming industry. The team that had been taking early tournament losses was now standing on podiums alongside established Kenyan players.That day became a turning point. The players had started to believe they belonged. And the community started paying attention.

Timeline

• 2022 – Football Esports House (FEH) founded with Atak as the only player.
• 2023 – Team rebrands to NXT Team.
• 2024 – Organization becomes Z Esports following the arrival of Trex and Shaq.
• 2025 – Z establishes itself as one of East Africa’s strongest FC 26 organizations.

Dennoh’s Story Is Bigger Than FC

Behind the results is one of the most powerful stories in the organization’s history. Dennoh had gone through difficult circumstances growing up in Eastlands.

Bongez says the organization noticed his talent in the game but also recognized that he needed support away from the controller. Dennoh responded on the pitch. He began delivering big performances and became one of the players responsible for lifting the team’s name. He also became an important figure around a squad made up largely of very young players.

For some players, esports can provide a direction at a time when they are still trying to figure out where their lives are heading. Dennoh remains part of the squad today. The organization has not yet selected its next captain, so that role should not be attached to him at this stage.

Building Players Beyond the Game

Z’s approach to player development was not simply about playing more FC. He introduced the young players to Ultimate Team and encouraged them to take part in competitive friendly matches against stronger players.

One of the players who helped sharpen them was Dexx Junior, whose competitive experience gave the youngsters another level of opposition to learn from.

The players were also introduced to the FC Pro ecosystem. That was important because it showed them that competitive FC could become more than just local tournaments. There was an international pathway available if they were willing to work for it.

The organization also exposed its players to international money matches involving opponents such as Sahil, Hermes (Tanzania) and Astro from Angola, as well as money matches at Gamersalon.

The idea was simple: make the players uncomfortable. Put them against better opponents. Give them situations where mistakes matter. Then make them learn from those experiences. That approach would eventually produce some serious results.

The Players Who Put Z on the Map

Dennoh

Dennoh was one of the first players to deliver major wins and raise the organization’s profile. His journey became particularly important because he was not simply developing as a player. He was also growing alongside a young group that needed experienced figures around them. His podium finish during the organization’s breakthrough period helped prove that the project could work.

Shaq

Then there was Shaq. Few players have had a bigger impact on the organization’s legacy. Shaq’s journey began when he was still a young player, but the talent was obvious enough for Dennoh to introduce him to Bongez.

From there, the player developed into one of Kenya’s biggest FC names. During his time with the team, Shaq won major competitions, including the 2026 eLigue 1 Kenya, where he earned KSh 25,000, securing a trip to Paris, France. However, he didn’t go to France due to delayed visa.

Shaq also finished runner-up at Uganda’s Paritek Tournament, taking home UGX 1.2 million, and recorded a top-five finish at the 2025 Betika Showdown. He also won multiple SC tournaments and finished the FC 25 season as the player with the most SC tournament victories, earning an original football jersey shipped from Milan, Italy.

Shaq is also regarded by the founders as the greatest player ever to represent Z. His willingness to learn and improve also made him the management’s favorite. His success continued after moving to Phoenix Esports. And this is where his recent achievements make the Z story even more interesting.

In 2026, Shaq became the only Kenyan to survive the African ENC ladder and reach the 128-player stage, eventually qualifying for the Esports Nations Cup in Saudi Arabia. That means a player who once entered the Z system as a young talent is now preparing to represent Kenya on one of the biggest esports stages in the world.

The qualification is officially a Phoenix achievement today. But for Z, it is also a reminder of what the organization has always wanted to accomplish – help young players reach places they once could only dream about.

Trex

Trex became another major name to emerge from the system.

His tournament success included the Rangers Tournament, where he won KSh 90,000, as well as the Quicksava Gaming Lounge Tournament, where he collected KSh 20,000. Those are serious results in the Kenyan FC scene and helped establish the reputation of the players coming through the organization.

Collo Gamer

Collo Gamer was another major talent developed during the organization’s rise. He later moved to Phoenix alongside Shaq, but his time with Z remains an important part of the team’s history. His progression showed that the organization was capable of developing more than one elite player at a time.

Bashir

Ugandan star Bashir also represented the organization and produced strong results in Kenya. He won the Rangers Thika Tournament, taking home KSh 8,000, and later won the Kenya Esports Series event in Kisumu, collecting KSh 15,000. His success also showed that the organization’s reach was not limited to Kenyan players.

The Investment Behind the Project

The organization has not been built by the founders alone. Over time, it has attracted investors and supporters from within the gaming community.

Among those involved have been gaming legends and personalities including Mpocoloco, Cesc Who and Blaze, while Crosbow Gaming Lounge also joined the project in 2025.

That support has helped create a structure where players can develop rather than simply show up for tournaments. It is an important part of the story because talent development requires more than a good player and a controller. It needs people willing to invest time, money, guidance and belief.

Maestro’s Role Has Also Changed

Maestro was one of the earliest players involved in the project and remains part of the squad. But his role has grown beyond simply competing.

He now works alongside Bongez and Floky in a coaching and welfare role, helping the organization support the players coming through the current system.

That is another sign of how the project has evolved. The players who helped build the foundation are increasingly becoming part of the structure that develops the next generation.

The Golden Era of Z

Every great club has a period supporters never forget. For Z, that era featured one of the most feared lineups in East African FC.

At one point, the organization had:

• Shaq
• Collo Gamer
• Trex
• Bashir

Four players capable of winning almost any tournament they entered. According to Floky, training sessions often felt like actual tournaments because nobody consistently dominated. Everyone could beat everyone. And that competitive environment pushed every player to improve.

Instead of relying on one superstar, Z created an ecosystem where winning became a habit. The confidence built during those intense training sessions would later translate into tournament victories across Kenya and beyond.

The End of an Era… and the Beginning of Another

When Shaq and Collo Gamer left Z to join Phoenix Esports, many people believed the organization had reached the end of its journey. After all, the team was losing two of the biggest names in Kenyan FC after earlier letting Trex go.

But according to founder Floky, the decision wasn’t sudden. Months of planning went into it. The management believed both players deserved the opportunity to continue growing, and Phoenix promised to help elevate them to international standards. Instead of trying to stop them, Z Esports chose to support their next chapter.

“We wanted the best for them,” Floky explained.

That decision perfectly reflects what Z has always stood for – building players first.

Ironically, the departures haven’t slowed either side down. Since joining Phoenix Esports, both Shaq and Collo Gamer have already lifted trophies, further proving the quality of players developed inside the Z system.

The Next Generation

The organization has already gone through major changes. Players who once formed its strongest lineup have moved on, but the project continues.

Among the players associated with the newer generation are:

• Atak (Mentor)
• Barry
• Marksman
• Raven
• O’nil
• Tornado
• Frazer
• Viper

Tornado in particular has already shown signs of what might be possible. In his first tournament representing the organization, held at Phoenix in March before the eLigue 1 qualifiers, he defeated established names including Lord7 and Haruun Haruun.

For a young player entering a major competitive environment, that was a huge statement. It also reminded everyone of the original Z formula.

Find the player.

Give him the platform.

Throw him into difficult matches.

See what happens.

Inside the Team

Every squad has its own personalities.

Here’s what the founders revealed about the current lineup.

Funniest Player

Tornado

He’s known for becoming incredibly toxic after winning matches, but away from competition he’s humble and a great listener.

Biggest Talker

O’nil

According to the founders, he’ll call teammates just to say hello.

Biggest Complainer

Barry

If he loses, he’ll probably blame the game before admitting he missed his own chances.

Biggest Surprise

The biggest breakout performance came from Tornado.

In only his first tournament representing Z – held at Phoenix in March before the eLigue 1 qualifiers – he shocked many by defeating established names including Lord7 and Haruun Haruun. That tournament convinced the team they had found another future star.

What Does the Organization Look For?

The scouting philosophy remains relatively simple.

Talent matters, but it is not everything.

The team looks for players with:

• Discipline
• A willingness to learn
• A genuine love for the game

Mechanical ability can be improved. Decision-making can be trained. But according to the organization’s philosophy, a player who refuses to learn or lacks discipline will struggle to reach the highest level.

That was one of the qualities that made Shaq stand out. He was willing to improve, willing to learn and willing to recognize his mistakes. That attitude helped turn raw ability into something much bigger.

Why Z Esports Matters to Kenyan FC

Kenya’s FC scene has no shortage of talented players. What it has needed is a stronger pathway for those players to develop. That is where this organization has quietly made its biggest contribution.

Z has experienced defeats, rebuilds, player departures and periods where the squad looked nothing like the team that once dominated tournaments.

Yet the project has continued. That matters. A team that only survives when it has its best players can disappear as soon as those players leave. A development system is different.

When Shaq and Collo moved to Phoenix, it could have been seen as the end of an era. Instead, it became evidence that the players had reached the next stage of their careers.

Shaq’s eventual qualification for the Esports Nations Cup makes that point even stronger. He started as one of the young players being developed through the system. Now he is heading to Saudi Arabia as Kenya’s representative on the global stage. That is exactly the kind of journey a talent factory should want to produce.

The Legacy Is Bigger Than the Trophies

The easiest way to judge an esports organization is by counting trophies. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The bigger question is: What happens to the players after they come through your doors?

For this organization, the answer is visible. Shaq became a major Kenyan star. Trex built his own reputation through major tournament wins before moving to TR Esports. Collo Gamer developed into one of the country’s recognizable FC players. Bashir made his mark in Kenya before returning to Uganda. Dennoh’s story shows the impact that esports support can have beyond the game itself.

And now another generation is coming through. That is why the “talent factory” label fits. The names will keep changing. The jerseys will change.

Some players will leave for bigger opportunities, while others will stay and help the next group.

But if the organization continues doing what it has done since its early days, the next big Kenyan FC player could once again come from a system that has spent years quietly building champions.

Conclusion

Z Esports was never simply about putting four good players in the same lineup and hoping they win tournaments.

It grew from the wider Football Esports House project, started working with young players, endured early defeats, learned from stronger opponents and eventually became one of Kenya’s most recognizable FC talent-development organizations.

Its greatest achievement may not be a single trophy. It may be the number of players who have walked through the system and gone on to make names for themselves.

And with Shaq now heading to Saudi Arabia for the Esports Nations Cup after beginning his journey with the organization, the story of Z Esports has reached another level.

The old champions may have moved on. The next generation is still coming.

And if the history of Z has taught Kenyan FC anything, it is this: never count out the next kid coming through the door.

produce top players. Eventually, the results spoke louder than words.

Category	Rating
Squad Strength	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Tournament Success	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Youth Development	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Legacy	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall Rating	9.7/10

The Z Gallery

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Shaq Joins Phoenix Esports After Three Successful Years at Z Esports

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