Embattled Harambee Stars nursing deeper wounds, beyond football

Kenyans rejoiced when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed Harambee stars’ participation in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. The news sparked excitement with renewed hopes of reviving the glory of the most loved sport in the country after a decade of turmoil and poor performances. 

But is Kenya ready for the continental showpiece?Listening to the hopeless voices of several football fans along Kenyan streets are a real indication of the inflicted injuries and bruises on the game. The Football Kenya Federation and the Kenyan government have received a large share of the blame for the current status of the team.

The players as well have partly been accused of laxity, not to forget the coaches who get criticized for poor selections and unpopular ideologies. So, what exactly is dragging the team backwards?Watching the likes of the former defender, Musa Otieno and Kenya’s all-time leading scorer, Dennis Oliech play was such a great experience.

You compare that with what we have today, then you will agree that Kenyan football is at its death bed. The Stars last featured in the Nations Cup back in 2004 under coach Jacob Ghost Mulee with both Musa and Oliech playing integral roles in the golden era campaign.

Since then, there have been little to cheer about the team. Fans have increasingly turned up in numbers only to leave in disappointment at the end.

Fourteen years down the line, the Stars are back to the continental map but with same old problems. How many times have players faced accusations of indiscipline in the camp? The Federation keeps changing coaches regularly, is this the way to go?There is no doubt we have lots of talent in the country.

After years of struggling, we can finally boast of many players plying their trade in international leagues from Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama to former Girona striker Michael Olunga. We also have Ismail Gonzalez of Las Palmas in Spain, Aboud Omar in Romania, Johannah Omolo of Belgian club Cercle Brugge, and Ovella Ochieng in Sweden.

Zesco United trio of David Owino, Jesse Were and Anthony Akumu are also among the top prospects from Kenya. Having talents is one thing, and managing them is another. You need a brilliant mind with great ideas to come up with a good team, hence the role of a coach. Since 2004, we have seen more than ten different coaches in the dugout, each leaving having left a distinct mark on the team.

Currently, Sebastien Migne is the man in charge, and the Frenchman has not escaped from criticism and disbelief from fans. His selection methods have raised doubts and questions including the exclusion of talented midfielder, Anthony Akumu and striker Jesse Were from the 2019 AFCON squad.

On the other hand, Migne has shown positive and laudable efforts towards youths, giving the like of young defender, Joseph Okumu a chance to shine. Despite all the shots fired, there are still lingering hopes installed inside most football enthusiasts in the country.  They watch with the hopes that all these will spur the country to success in Egypt.Apart from the players and coaches, we also have the dark forces of politics and management crisis hitting hard on the team.

Lack of support from FKF, led by Chairman Nick Mwendwa, has affected the players’ morale and hampered their preparations too. To become the best, you need to compete with the best. When was the last time Kenya played a friendly match with a team in the top 10 FIFA ranking? Well, it remains a mystery even as we look to solve our local issues. There is also the big concern of introducing young talents in the national team that is slowly getting addressed.

Do we have any precise set-up for the youth or a recognized system of play? Spain and Netherlands have tikitaka, Brazil has Ginga, while others are known for quick attacking football, but what does Kenya have? Generally, the Federation and ministry of sports should support football in the country by improving the stadiums and other training facilities.

Players should be paid promptly and treated with respect and honour. We have a treasure in football that should be fully utilized to benefit both the current and future generations of Harambee Stars.