There are football experiences that last for 90 minutes. And then there are football moments that last a lifetime.For Kenyan assistant referee Stephen Yiembe, the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final in Salzburg, Austria, played on 12 August, is one such moment that he will live to remember.##NAJAVA_MECA_9901535##The occasion in itself was big: a meeting between the UEFA Champions League winners and the UEFA Europa League winners. European moneybags Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) came face-to-face with Aston Villa, one of the most historic clubs in English football.Standing on that pitch, in the midst of the theatre, intensity, pride and prestige of European football, was not just an ordinary day at work. He was standing at the summit of a dream come true after years of hard work, sacrifice and a long journey from the uncertainty of his early days to the bright lights of a European stadium.What Abud Omar wants Kenyan football to borrow from rugbyIt is for this reason that, for Yiembe, the occasion was very emotional. From the dusty streets of Nakuru, where he grew up, he had reached the highest echelons of officiating and was living the dream of any match official.“Being appointed as an Assistant Referee for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup Final was an honour beyond words. Standing on that pitch at Stadion Salzburg for a fixture bringing together the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League winners is a milestone I will always cherish,” said Yiembe of what he described as an extraordinary chapter in his career.As the old African adage says, “If you see a bird that looks fine and fat, people fed it well.” Yiembe’s rise to the top is a true testament to that.As a budding referee, the dream looked far from reachable. It looked like an illusion, but as it were, the Moi University graduate chose to put Eleanor Roosevelt’s words to the test by believing in the beauty of his dreams as he awaited the future.Akonnor hails Gor Mahia’s character after comeback win over Migori YouthHe started off as a referee in the lower divisions of Kenyan football and put in the shift even when no one was watching.“Some dreams begin quietly, long before anyone else can see them. Life often guides us along unexpected paths, but with God’s direction, it leads us to moments we once only dared to imagine. It is a powerful reminder to keep learning, keep growing, and fully trust the process,” he added.Despite all this, there was a job to do: to ensure that the officiating in the match was at the highest level possible. The soft-spoken man could not afford to have a bad outing at that stage, especially with colleagues, instructors and assessors following keenly.In the end, having put in a good performance, Yiembe had an opportunity to network with some of the best in the trade, adding to his experience.“Beyond the match itself, one of the greatest gifts was the opportunity to meet and connect with so many amazing people within UEFA refereeing and European football.Working alongside the VAR team, Marco Di Bello and Guillermo Fernández, together with the fourth official, Rade Obrenović, was a valuable experience. Their warmth, professionalism, knowledge and genuine camaraderie made the entire experience even more memorable,” he said.Akonnor hails Gor Mahia’s character after comeback win over Migori YouthThere was even more reason for Yiembe to cherish the occasion. He was in the company of fellow African match officials, and together they were at the epicentre of a top European football match.“Sharing this historic occasion with my brothers Omar Abdulkadir Artan and Liban Abdirazack Ahmed, fellow colleagues from CAF, made the experience even more fulfilling. It served as a proud reminder of the talent, dedication and excellence thriving within African refereeing.”Acknowledging the support that he has received along the way, Yiembe also took time to appreciate the various players in his journey and UEFA for the historic appointment.“The unwavering support from back home, encompassing my family, friends, colleagues, the incredible Football Kenya Federation fraternity and the entire Kenyan community, has been a source of immense strength.I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me and profoundly grateful to UEFA and the Confederation of African Football for the opportunity to represent Kenya, East Africa, CECAFA and Africa on such a prestigious global platform,” he remarked.Babu identifies key weakness to fix ahead of Migori Youth’s FKFPL debutThe trained teacher, who also served as the second assistant referee in the 2025 CAF Champions League final, could only reflect on the journey so far with gratitude.“From East Africa’s heart in Kenya to Europe’s grandest stage, this moment is a testament to how far football can carry us. With dedication, humility and steadfast perseverance, we can achieve anything.This was not just a milestone, not just a fleeting memory; it was a profound narrative written in faith, purpose and grace, echoing the sacred promise of Psalm 138:8: ‘The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.’”Having tasted the fruits of hard work, Yiembe concluded with a profound lesson on any work one finds to do.“Our potential is never defined by where we start, but by how far we are willing to go, how much sacrifice we are ready to make and how deeply we believe in what is possible,” he concluded.Amonde reveals what drove KCB’s turnaround from Dala disappointment to Kabeberi glory