Strengthen Harambee Stars ahead of Afcon

The sterling performance by Harambee Stars on Monday, when they drew 2-2 with Russia, sends a positive signal there is hope for the revival of local football, which has been in the doldrums for far too long.

Considering Kenya is ranked a lowly (position 109 against Russia’s 39), the draw was encouraging especially because Kenya was ahead until the dying minutes of the encounter. Indeed, it will be in order to congratulate Coach Engin Firat and his team for the great performance.

t is also worth noting there have been many positive changes in football, and sports generally, since CS Ababu Namwamba took charge of the ministry and this cannot go unremarked because it has demonstrated what political goodwill can achieve.

The ball is now in the court of the football federation to put its house in order and set a date for elections so that Kenya can continue with its march forward in preparation to host CHAN 2024 and co-host AFCON 2027. Both are huge milestones in our football history and success will not be measured only with the hosting the events—significant as these are—but also in how the national team will perform.

Monday’s victory sent a signal something positive is happening in football, starting with selection and motivation of players and it is important that the momentum is maintained if our ranking is to improve. The advantages of this are all too obvious to sports people and their agents. It means, for instance, that more opportunities will open up for our footballers to play in European, Asian and Arab leagues. And given the large pool of youthful talent, such opportunities will inspire upcoming footballers to put their best foot forward.

Already, the Harambee Starlets under-20 team has also demonstrated Kenya’s capability, with the girls’ exceptional performance in the last two World Cup qualifying games. Now, only one game stands between the heroines and a World Cup slot, an achievement that would be historic. What they need now is proper training, incentives and support of fans to break the glass ceiling and open a new world of possibilities for young sports people.

As Kenyans celebrate their heroes and heroines this week, they must take time to appreciate the two national teams which have filled many with hope that Kenya can once again relive the magic of the 1980s when it was a regional football powerhouse and home of legends.