football made in kenya

Sofapaka’s away winning streak under threat from confident Leopards

2017-04-26T13:35:00.001+03:00

When Leopards take on Sofapaka in Sportpesa Premier League’s round seven of the 2017 season, confidence is one item that will not be in short supply. Leopards are yet to lose at home with two wins and one draw out of the six they have played so far. Sofapaka are yet to lose away, having won three out of three so far. Some thing has to give surely.

It is bragging rights even in the last six matches played between the two giants of Kenyan football, who are enjoying a fruitful 2017 season in contrast to the difficult season they both had in 2016. Leopards have won twice and lost twice to Sofapaka, with the other two match-ups ending in draws. Interestingly Sofapaka were the last to enjoy an away win in this fixture, beating Leopards 1-2 at their own backyard.

Is the same fate awaiting Leopards as a rejuvenated Sofapaka come visiting? With four wins out of six played so far, Leopards will feel they have a big chance to make an early statement about their 2017 targets by handing Sofapaka their first away defeat of the season. After all, this is the first big rival Sofapaka are facing away this season after coming away with wins from their travels to Western Stima, Mathare United and Zoo Kericho respectively. Today’s encounter could finish with a 2-1 triumph for Leopards, or a 2-2 draw.

Tusker hope to move up the log as they host newcomers Nakumatt

2017-04-26T13:05:00.004+03:00

Tusker will hope to ease a difficult start to the 2017 season when they host newcomers Nakumatt in the seventh round of the Sportpesa Premier League (SPL). After opening the season with two straight defeats, the beermen of Ruaraka are unbeaten in the last four though three of those are draws.

The defending champions’ last match will offer them alot of encouragement as they take on a side that have lost three of their six matches played so far, two of those defeats coming while playing away to Bandari and Kariobangi Sharks.

Tusker were expected to lose to an inform Gor Mahia in their last match but came away with a draw. Their two matches before the Gor tie were against heavyweights Ulinzi and Sofapaka but they emerged with decent 1-1 and 2-2 draws respectively. The last three results will surely have boosted their confidence and Nakumatt might suffer the consequences. This will be the first meeting between the clubs and a 2-0 win to Tusker might be on the cards

Ulinzi in search of vengeance as they face struggling Mathare United at home

2017-04-23T13:01:00.001+03:00

When Ulinzi Stars host a once again struggling Mathare United, they will surely have vengeance top-most in their minds, and with memories of the 2016 season still fresh in their thoughts.

The two Sportpesa Premier League (SPL) clubs have developed a rivalry that has seen them thrive more when facing each other away but this might not be the case this time round when the ‘Slum Boys’ from Nairobi land in Nakuru for their latest encounter with the soldiers in round six of the 2017 SPL.

Mathare United have the upper hand in the ten encounters played between the two, winning four times and drawing thrice. Ulinzi have three wins but will surely remember that the 'Slum Boys' did the double over them last season, winning 0-2 in Nakuru and 1-0 in their Nairobi backyard. Interestingly, the teams had enjoyed playing away to each other before the 'Mathare United double'.

With the slum boys currently languishing in relegation territory, Ulinzi might fancy restoring head to head parity by giving Mathare United another beating and sending them back to Nairobi empty handed.

Mathare’s only win so far this season came at home in their first match of the 2017 SPL season. They followed up this victory with two 0-0 away draws and two home defeats. They could now suffer their third defeat of the season or, at best, contintue with their early season form of drawing away. The correct score might be 1-0 or 0-0.

Leopards' title credentials face stern test against inconsistent Thika United

2017-04-23T12:48:00.003+03:00

Leopards have had a surprisingly strong start to the 2017 season, considering their struggles in recent seasons both on and off the pitch. After the five Sportpesa Premier League (SPL) rounds so far, Ingwe have won three times, drawn once and lost once.

The recent underachievers of Kenyan football currently sit in position six of the log and travel to face a 13th placed Thika United who have lost all their three away matches so far, but are yet to lose at home - having already secured two wins out of the two played at home.

Recent encounters between Leopards and Thika United have tended to favour the home team, with Leopards winning two and drawing one of their last three home matches while Thika United have won the last three played at their ground.

Once the duelling on the pitch is done, Thika United will have likely scored a fourth consecutive win and inflicted the second loss of the season on Ingwe. The correct score could be 2-0 or 2-1 in favour of Thika United.

Gor seek to pile more misery on Tusker in SPL match of the weekend

2017-04-22T12:02:00.001+03:00

Sportpesa Premier League (SPL) defending champions Tusker face high flying Gor Mahia having won only one match out of the five they have played so far this season. If it was in the beermen's power they would have asked that this fixture be moved forward so they could first get over their early season blues that have pushed them into the unfamiliar relegation territory of the log.

After losing their first two matches (2-5 at home to Nzoia United and 2-0 away to Thika United Tusker stopped the rot with a 1-0 home win against Chemelil Sugar but have since drawn their last two matches (2-2 away to Sofapaka and 1-1 against Ulinzi Stars at home). This form has seen them sit together with Nakumatt (16 position), Muhoroni Youth (17) and whipping boys Zoo Kericho at the bottom of the SPL table.

On their part, Gor, who had won the SPL title three times in a row before being dethroned by Tusker in 2016, already find themselves perched at the summit of the table and will go into today's tie full of confidence. The most successful club in Kenya have so far raked up four wins (only losing 2-1 away to Western Stima) and will surely have revenge as a top agenda item considering that Tusker beat them 1-0 home and away on their way to the title last year.

The head to head record between the two giants of Kenyan football reads three wins for Gor Mahia and two for Tusker (interestingly all these five wins have seen a 1-0 score line) and one draw (a 1-1 tie recorded in September 2014).

Today's match-up will likely end within the Under goals territory again and I see Gor emerging 1-0 winners.

Mighty table-top battle expected as Mathare and Ulinzi go head-to-head in SPL

2016-07-01T14:42:00.003+03:00

The match of round sixteen of Sportspesa Premier League is surely Mathare United vs Ulinzi Stars. The two occupy positions three and two respectively. They are currently tied on every thing save for goals conceded, with Mathare United having conceded 12 and Ulinzi 10. This situation will likely change when the two come head-to-head on Saturday, July 2nd, 2016.

Mathare United have struggled in recent seasons, even flirting with relegation once or twice. They finished in 9th position last season, having drawn half of their matches and after winning only eight out of 30. However, after bringing back prodigal sons Francis Kimanzi and Salim Ali as head coach and assistant coach respectively, the team seems to have rediscovered its groove and they are genuine title contenders once again, seeking to win their second premier league title. The last and only one was won in 2008 when coach Kimanzi was at the helm for his first stint.

The team did not end the first round strongly though, with four draws, a loss and only one win probably bringing back memories of last season's under-achievement. However, the fact that the Slum Boys secured seven victories out of 15 played in the first round - as many as they could manage the entire season in 2015 - is clear evidence that, barring a calamity, this will be a bright harvest season for Mathare.

On their part, Ulinzi might have a feeling of hard luck as the premier league resumes, having to travel for the first match of round two to Nairobi to face the team that gave them a 2-0 beating in their own backyard of Nakuru.

Ulinzi Stars ended their first round of the 2016 season the same way they started it, with a draw. However, it was only one of the two draws registered by the club in a productive period that brought in five wins and only one loss in the club's final eight matches. The loss is one of their only two suffered in round one and was inflicted by Mathare United (the other lose coming a week earlier away to Posta Rangers. They will have to be on total guard to prevent Mathare from doing a double on them.

In the last nine matches between the teams, each has won three times and shared the spoils in the three others. Interestingly these teams seem to enjoy playing away to each other. Three of Mathare's victories and Ulinzi's two have come when they were playing each other away. Saturday's encounter might produce similar results, if not a draw.

Sofapaka in search of a halt to rotten form against Western Stima

2016-07-01T10:24:00.002+03:00

Sofapaka have found themselves in unfamiliar territory in the Sportpesa Premier League this season, returning to action in the second round of the league in last position with a measly seven points. Three of the seven were won at home on day one against Ushuru. Another win followed ages later away to fellow strugglers Nairobi City Stars and for the only time this season they followed that with a draw against another struggling team - Thika United.

With 12 losses out of fifteen, one wonders whether Batoto Ba Mungu's tenure in the top flight will come to an end this year after excellent performances that started with a premier league championship in their promotion season. Whatever the case, Western Stima will not walk onto the field against them with too many worries.

Having said that, Western Stima's season is not much better considering their standing in Kenya's premier league football. The club from Western Kenya won only four matches out of the 15 played in the first round of the SPL. Maybe as an encouragement to Sofapaka, all these wins came at Western Stima's homegound of Bukhungu Stadium. Drawing matches could be considered another of Western Stima's defining features in the first round of the league. The club drew seven matches out of 15, a record only shared by Poster Rangers.

The two clubs have faced each other nine times, sharing the spoils on all fronts. They have each beaten the other three times and drew on the other three occasions. In this latest installment of encounters, the clubs are likely to play out another stalemate.

Homeboyz face Bandari seeking to entrench top ten credentials

2016-07-01T09:48:00.000+03:00

In the last eight matches played before the Sportpesa Premier League took a break, Kakamega Homeboyz recorded four wins, one draw, and three losses. Three of the club's wins came at home and three of the victories were against releation candidates Thika United, Nairobi City Stars, and Sofapaka.

On Saturday, July 2, 2016, the club from Western Kenya will come up against Bandari, this coming off the back drop of a draw against Ulinzi FC in their final match before the league break. Considering that it is a promoted team, Homeboyz should be commended for finding themselves a place amongst the league's top ten teams and on the basis of their performances so far, they have what it takes to remain there when the final whistle of the season is blown.

Bandari FC returned to the top flight with a storm, winning three and drawing three of their first seven matches of the season to find themselves amongst the early league leaders. However their performances in their final eight matches before the league took a break indicated a clear loss of form and they must have celebrated the arrival of the break. In their last eight matches, Bandari have won only one match (away to Ushuru). they have lost four (three at home) and drew three (two at home). They are clearly a team who found the tough going in their own coastal backyard.

Bandari's consolation is that their next opponents have one of the worst defence records in the league but he flip side is that Home boys have performed fairly well at home, winning three and losing only one of their last four home matches.

The teams have met three times previously, with Bandari boasting a 3-0 head-to-head record. This match has potential of ending in a draw but Bandari might just nick a win here and maintain their unbeaten record against Kakamega Homeboyz.

Sony Sugar look set to continue strong recovery away to Ushuru

2016-07-01T07:38:00.001+03:00

Ushuru and Sony Sugar will both be looking for a win to lift them up the Sportpesa League Table when Kenya's premier league football action resumes on Saturday, July 2, 2016.

After a slow start to the season, Sony Sugar entered a strong period that saw the club recording an impressive five wins, one draw and two losses in the final eight matches before the Sportpesa Premier League took a break. The two losses were registered away to table toppers Gor Mahia FC and Mathare United, with the draw coming away to league leaders Tusker FC.

Clearly, they are a club that have regained their form and their climbing to ninth position is testimony of this fact. Their opponents for the sixteenth round of SPL matches, Ushuru, are only two points behind on 17 but currently in danger of slipping into the relegation zone. In their last eight matches, Ushuru have won two (away to Western Stima and at home to Homeboyz), drawn three and lost three, with two of the draws coming against powerhouses Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.

Sony Sugar's away form has been poor, losing three, drawing three, and winning only one of their last seven away premier league matches. Ushuru, on their part have been stronger away from home. Only one of their four wins came at home, and four of their six losses were registered at home. Two of their seven home matches so far have ended in a stalemate.

The two clubs have met five times, with Sony Sugar winning three times and Ushuru winning the other two match ups. There have been no draws so far between the clubs. As things stand now, Sony Sugar will most likely win this tie.

Lessons from Harambee Star's win over Congo

2016-06-06T08:13:00.003+03:00

After torturing Kenyan football fans for what has seemed like eternity, Harambee Stars yesterday finally put together a decent performance to beat Congo 2-1 in what was, unfortunately, a dead rubber encounter. For even with the victory, Kenya still remain rooted to the bottom of Afcon qualifiers group E with four points, a whole six points behind surprise group leaders and already qualified Guinea Bissau.

Long before the referee blew the whistle to kick off the Kenya-Congo tie, Harambee Stars' hopes of making it to Afcon 2017 in Gabon had been extinguished thanks to displays of mediocre football that left Kenya clutching to a single point after drawing 1-1 with Congo and enduring a three match loosing streak against Zambia (1-2) and Guinea Bissau (1-0; 0-1).

It is ridiculous that Guinea Bissau qualified for Afcon 2017 courtesy of the six points they snatched from Kenya. If we got just four of those points, we would be sitting a top group E, still firmly in contention for Cabon 2017. Instead, the underdogs from West Africa have benefitted from Kenya's generosity, in the process eliminating initial favourites Zambia and Congo.

So how did we finally manage to secure a victory after hundreds of football minutes of trying? It is interesting that Kenya's two goals (Ayub Timbe's equaliser and Eric Johanna's beautiful strike) came via lightning counter-attacking moves. It helped that Congo were themselves under pressure to attack Kenya to ensure they took the Afcon qualification battle to the final day in Brazzaville against Guinea Bissau.

Still, we have watched over and over as Kenya launched counter-attacks that died even before the ball had reached the centre of the field. What has been more familiar with Kenya's football in recent matches has been a bunch of 11 tippy-tappy individuals moving the ball around, as if wondering where the hell the opponent's goal posts had disappeared to.

Kenya's poverty in attacking football was still evident yesterday, considering that striker Olunga hardly had any meaningful strike on goal throughout the match. The difference this time round was that two counter-attacks were executed successfully, resulting in goals that won Kenya the tie.

Coach Stanley Okumbi and his technical staff should build on this win by ensuring that Kenya's rediscovered counter-attacking effectiveness is nurtured and employed more in the national team's football encounters.

Aside from the well-deserved victory, it was pleasant to witness an injection of new blood into the team in the form of promising Gor Mahia left back Eric 'Marcelo' Omondi and Spain-born Ismail Gonzales of CD Las Palmas. Omondi was especially exciting to watch and Gonzales showed flashes of brilliance and he could prove to be a mid-field gem for Kenya in future. More effort should be made to expand the talent-pool for the national team so that competition and depth can be guaranteed in the team.

From the border town of Isibania emerges a beautiful story of the beautiful game -Isibania FC

2016-04-29T20:55:00.001+03:00

In mordern football, when we want to talk about real big football clubs, the choices are easy and obvious - Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich...those kinds of clubs.

On the pages of this blog, I have talked now and again about the giants of Kenyan football: Gor Mahia FC, AFC Leopards, Tusker FC, Mathare United, Ulinzi Stars, and Sofapaka.

The club I have never written about here, and so proudly do so today, is a little community club that shares a lot in common with me. I have yearned for when a football club from my home town would contest with the big boys and embarrass them. Now, it appears, my dream might come true soon.

If Isibania FC manage to sustain the momentum that has driven them to the summit of the Football Kenya Federation's Division One League Zone B standings, then in a matter of months, the huge army of Kogalo followers might find themselves making the long trip to the border town of Isibania to face my home town team.

Isibania is a small but vibrant border town at the south western tip of Kenya and is the gateway into the North Western and Western regions of Tanzania. You have to pass through Isibania to access the Tanzanian towns of Mwanza, Bukoba, Shinyanga and Musoma.

As an ardent football fan, am waiting to capture the making of history when this little football club, formed only a few years ago, starts receiving the giants of Kenyan football and, hopefully, teaching them a few football lessons.

6 lessons from Kenya's victory over Uganda at CECAFA 2015

2015-11-22T22:49:00.000+03:00

After a nightmarish second round, second leg World Cup 2018 qualifier outing against Cape Verde only six days ago, Kenya returned to the pitch on a mission to defend the CECAFA title they won in 2013 a completely different side.

Uganda must have recalled with relish the shambolic preparations and travel plans that ended Harambee Stars dream of featuring in the groups phase of the Russia 2018 qualifiers, but by the time the match day referee blew his final whistle, Uganda had soaked in two goals without reply.

What lessons did we learn from this tie that has tended to go Uganda's way in recent times?

1. Boniface Oluoch has undergone a real transformation
I did not expect to say this in my two consecutive posts but here I am: Boniface Oluoch has become a real good goalkeeper. The good form he has enjoyed with Gor Mahia and the opportunities he has had with Harambee Stars have obviously had a positive effect on him. His previous uncertainties and erratic judgement have gone away and today he was an assured custodian in Kenya's goal. Suddenly, Arnold Origi is not being missed that much.

2. Kenya can actually defend

Apart from Boniface Oluoch having a perfect day in the office, Harambee Stars defenders were superb. The partnership between David 'Calabar' Owino and David 'Cheche' Ochieng in central defence was just a joy to watch. The two cleared aerial balls from the danger area beautifully, timed their tackles to perfection and imposed their physical presence in front of Kenya's goal so well that they deserve huge credit for the clean sheet that Kenya kept in the match. On the flanks, the returning Noah Abich was an assured and experienced general, completely aware of when to attack and when to defend his right channel. On the left flank, the fast rising new kid on the block, Omar Mbongi played as though he has been playing for the national team for years, the kid is definitely going places. considering that Kenya has had so many problems in this position over the years, that is a huge statement

3. Kenya's midfield can play nice football

Well, some people, especially opposing coaches, have a habit of calling Kenya a 'physical team devoid of technical finesse'. I believe that is an unfortunate and misplaced stereotype. I have watched Harambee Stars since I was a kid and midfield has been one of the strongest departments of the team. Even in the absense of Ayub Timbe, Victor Wanyama and Johanna Omollo, Kenya's midfield functioned perfectly and totally outplayed the Ugandans. Kudos to Collins Okoth, Anthony Akumu, Clifton Miheso and Eric Johanna

4. Kenya is not lacking in striking power

When I watched Jacob Keli running Ugandan defenders rugged, I wondered why he had not played enough times for Harambee Stars in recent times. The lad was sharp, light and creative and he was rewarded with a beautiful goal. As for Michael Olunga, well, he is making it a habit of scoring in every match that he plays. My only issue is why coach Bobby Williamson brought him on in place of Jacob Keli rather than Jesse Were. I was particularly disappointed by Were's miss in front of open goal. I hope Keli and Olunga can play together in Kenya's next match. And we have the experienced Allan Wanga on the bench too - he won us the CECAFA title in 2013!

5. Kenya did not deserve to lose against Cape Verde

Even with all the noise about Cape Verde being ranked number four in Africa, Harambee Stars gave a real good account of themselves when the Cape Verdians came to Nairobi. With some clinical finishing and some luck, the first leg tie should have finished with more than one goal and the story might have become more interesting for the return leg in Praia four days later.

6. With proper football management, Kenya can go far

The classic Kenyan football mismanagement was in full display as FKF messed with Kenya's chances of prolonging their 2018 World Cup dream. What with players protesting non-payment of allowances and air ticket non-refunds. In what could be entered for an Oscar of some sort, the so-called football managers messed with the team's travel plans and it was a miracle that the team actually did leave for Cape Verde at all. Not much else could be expected from the team, however, and to me, their 2-0 loss sounded like a victory. If only we could get serious guys with real interest in development of Kenyan football, even the World Cup finals would be within our reach. For now though, let us take care of the successful CECAFA championship defence.

Oluoch, you finally earn my plaudits!

2015-11-14T07:07:00.003+03:00

I am a regular critic of Kenya's national team goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch. Every time I have seen him in Kenya's goal, I have shuddered in fear, praying hard that he doesn't make his inexplicable dashes out of goal.

Yesterday, as Kenya beat Cape Verde 1-0 in the first leg of the 2018 World Cup second round qualifier, I had nothing but admiration for the Gor Mahia custodian. He was so calm around his goal area, and he marshalled well his defenders in moments of anxiety.

Even when Cape Verde managed to shoot on target - which was rare - Oluoch was well placed to make the perfect save.

It was a bit strange that in the wake of such poor preparations, Kenya put on such a decent performance. Cape Verde were supposed to come to Nairobi and run riot, itself quite a weird expectation, considering that ten years ago, the Islanders were mere babies in African football and we confirmed this by beating them home and away when we last met.

I suspect they were themselves highly expectant of an easy victory, considering the huge progress they have made even as Kenya has slid down the ranks of world football. Fortunately, it turned out to be quite an easy victory for Kenya. Indeed, the Stars should have pumped in a few more goals into the Cape Verdian goal but for the finishing errors by Kenya's forward line.

As sweet as the victory tasted, it is only a job half done. The tough part awaits in four day's time when Harambee Stars return to Cape Verde, almost twelve years since they registered a famous 1-0 victory there.

Then, not much was expected from the tiny Atlantic ocean Islanders, but things are remarkably different this time round. Sitting in a fairy-tale position as the 32nd ranked team in FIFA's global football rankings, Cape Verde have risen tremendously from a lowly 182nd position in 2000 to emerge as a feared African football powerhouse. How a tiny nation of half a million people has managed to achieve such a remarkable feat is a story for another day.

When Kenyan players take the pitch on Tuesday evening, they must remain awake - for all ninety minutes - to the fact that they are playing a dangerous side that can quickly turn their current feelings of elation into a painful experience. Stay alert for ninety minutes and we are in the group stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

We have one motivating factor going into the match - we have played Cape Verde three times and won 1-0 three times. Another 1-0 scoreline in Praia is all we need! To hell with FIFA rankings! Come on Haramee Stars! And, Boniface Oluoch, Bravo!

Letter to K'ogalo - Congratulations and aim higher next season

2015-11-07T13:45:00.000+03:00

Hi K'ogalo, allow me to express my heartfelt congratulations to you for raising the standards of football in our country once again.

In 1987, I keenly followed you as you progressed through the preliminary stages of the then African Cup Winners Cup (Nelson Mandela Cup) and currently, the CAF Confederation Cup, before finally destroying Esperance FC of Tunisia in the final to make history as the only regional club to have lifted a Continental trophy.

Twenty Eight years later that record still stands. I have just witnessed another record-equalling performance by you as you have won the 2015 SportPesa Premier League undefeated. The fact that you have won the premier league title three times in a row surely makes you one of the greatest football squads ever assembled in Kenya. In that respect, allow me to salute your coaches and their technical committees as well.

Even as you made every one in Kenya's football tremble in your wake. You went to Tanzania and made us proud by ably competing at the 2015 CECAFA Club Championship. I still believe you were capable of beating Azam FC of Tanzania in the final but somehow, you just did not put up a real performance when it mattered most.

As I am writing this, you are right on target to win all trophies available locally and doing that will only enhance your pedigree some more.

At this juncture, allow me to warn you that success has its costs. The values of most of your players must have increased from what they were at the beginning of the season. As such, it is not a matter of if but, rather, when people will come calling at your door with tempting deals to lure your star performers away. Even your coach might become a target of this talent raid. Yo need to put up a real fight to keep your great squad together.

Even as you try to guard your players and coaches from covetous suitors, you need to strengthen in your areas of weakness. I can tell you for free that you need to bring in a star goalkeeper if you intend to - and you need to - put up a decent performance at the continental stage next year. I believe you also need to get in a star defender and midfielder as well.

For the year 2016, I set for you the targets of successfully defending or winning your local competitions, but more important, I would love to see you winning the 2016 CECAFA Club Championship and progressing to the group stages of the CAF Champions League. Do that and you begin to re-establish yourselves as a continental football force once again.

I cannot conclude this letter without paying tribute to your great army of supporters - what could Kenyan stadiums look like without the colourful green army? My humble request is that your followers - or the few bad elements - drop the ugly habit that is football hooliganism. You will realise that doing that will actually enhance your reputation as you hunt for sponsors - a highly valuable component of modern football.

FKF killing Kenyan football: The umpteenth time

2015-10-30T11:04:00.000+03:00

They say that lightning doesn't strike twice but for Kenyan football, it strikes far too many times.

At the beginning of the current football season, there was a crisis and stalemate that threatened to take Kenyan football fifteen years back.

This happened after Kenya Premier League, the company comprising of premier league clubs that has run the Kenyan premier league with great professionalism and commitment, stamped its feet and resisted Footba Kenya Federation's attempts to usurp the role of managing premier league football in the country.

Predictably, FKF bigwigs stood their ground and renamed what was then the second tier football league in the country as the FKF-Premier League, and declared it as the only legally recognised football premier league in the country.

All of a sudden, we were back to the era of parallel football leagues in the country. To ensure the FKF-PL became functional, FKF threatened KPL clubs, declared their fixtures list illegal and took them to court. Non-KPL clubs, powerless against FKF's intimidation, became willing participants in the latest episode of ruining Kenyan football.

Luckily, the courts ruled against FKF's request to have the KPL banned as the organisers of Kenya's football premier league. However, the madness continued on the pitch as two parallel premier league seasons kicked into high gear in the country.

It took the intervention of FIFA to restore some sense of normality when through the global football body's mediation, FKF and KPL agreed to run the parallel leagues only for this one season, with an agreed number of clubs from the FKF-PL gaining promotion to the KPL at the end of the season, while an equal number from the KPL were to be relegated to take the places of the promoted sides.

Now, as the football season draws to a close, it is increasingly appearing unlikely that there will be a harmonised league system come next season.

First of all, FKF-PL clubs have discovered that FKF cannot be trusted with premier league management in the country. Every body else knew this already. Before KPL was formed, FKF had brought the country's football to its knees with highly suspicious boardroom decisions clearly designed to favour some teams while punishing others.

More than ten years later, FKF-PL clubs have went on strike, boycotting football matches to protest against discriminatory boardroom decisions by the FKF big wigs - a case of classic deja vu.

Another confrontational front opening up is a claim by FKF to the effect that they are the only ones mandated to decide the number of teams to be promoted or relegated. To this effect, FKF is saying it will relegate four teams from the KPL and promote six from their own FKF-PL. Amongst the six would-be upgraded clubs are those alleged to be benefitting from unfairly awarded points.

You can already begin to see an obvious decline in football standards at the premier league, but does the FKF care? Will the eighteen-team league format be acceptable to everyone or are we facing another stalemate come next season?

A perfect solution to this endless circus would be to ensure that at the next FKF elections, the whole lot of current office holders are sent packing, paving way for a completely new set of officials, who hopefully, will have learnt a lesson not to rub Kenyan football stakeholders the wrong way.

40 call ups for Cape Verde date: Panic or strategy?

2015-10-29T05:19:00.001+03:00

Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson has set the ball rolling for the forthcoming world cup qualifier tie against Cape Verde on November 13 by unveiling a provisional squad of 40-odd players.

With the huge reward for the winner of this tie being a ticket to the group stage to battle for one of Africa's five slots for Russia 2018, everything done in the way of preparing the team should be geared towards ensuring that the team becomes stronger, not weaker.

With the short time between preparation and match-day, I wonder whether inviting so many players to camp is a wise consolidation strategy to plug weaknesses identified from the Mauritius preliminary tie or a risky tinkering adventure that might backfire come match day.

The provisional squad retains regulars like Victor Wanyama, Ayub Timbe, Johanna Omollo, Allan Wanga, and Arnold Origi. However, the coach sprung a major surprise by introducing a quartet of complete unknowns to the team.

Majority of Kenyans will be hearing of Nicholas Kipkirui (Zoo Kericho), Ken Maritim (Ligi Ndogo), Mark Bikokwa Baraza (Nzoia United) and Calvince Omanga (Palos FC) for the first time.

A Gotv Shield Cup tie between Gor Mahia and Palos FC introduced Palos' striker Omanga to Kenya's football fans after the youngster scored too classy goals against Gor, obviously impressing national selectors. The other three are yet to have their day of national limelight but I believe that they must be good enough to earn national call ups.

While it is good to have a continuous programme of injecting new blood to the national team, I believe this should be done in such a way that it does not affect the stability of the team, especially in the run up to major national assignments like the one coming up in two weeks' time.

I believe that coach Williamson has most of his starting eleven sorted out already and all he is doing is bringing in new players for assessment for possible integration into the national team in case they prove good enough to plug the weak points in the team.

That is obviously a good strategy that can ensure the team grows stronger, especially with the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, where the foreign based players will most likely not feature, just around the corner. In deed, the fact that the coach has been bold enough to name untested players from the little clubs is laudable, considering that most selections have been from the traditional big clubs.

The worry would be if the naming of the huge provisional squad, including the four fresh call ups, was a panic reaction triggered by the looming Cape Verde tie. I hope that is not the case.

Done with Mauritius, bring on Cape Verde - We are Harambee Stars!

2015-10-14T18:56:00.000+03:00

It has been quite a while since my last post here. While I was away, Zambia came to Nairobi and confirmed my fears by beating Kenya 2-1, making our task of qualifying for Afcon 2017 much harder.

During the same period, Gor Mahia confirmed what had for weeks become a mere formality by winning a third consecutive premier league title, the first of three titles that they can win in what has been definitely a wonderful season for the club.

Another development during the same time was the emergence of Gor Semelang'o and Nick Mwendwa as serious challengers to Sam Nyamweya's stranglehold on Kenya's football chiefdom. And only a few days ago, Kenya went to Mauritius and ran riot, thumping the Indian Ocean Islanders 5-2.

The return leg five days later ended as an anti-climax for Kenyan fans when a resolute Mauritian defence and an inspired goalkeeper ensured there would be no more free scoring. Apart from the 0-0 scoreline, however, Kenya's performance was satisfactory, really.

The defence worked well, skipper Victor Wanyama controlled the midfield well and several scoring chances were created, with striker Michael Olunga missing a couple good ones and hitting the goal post twice.

With qualification for the next stage of World Cup 2018 qualifiers now assured - and here a fancied Cape Verde side awaits - one would have hoped for some kind of miraculous commitment from the Football Kenya Federation to ensure we increase our chances of beating Cape Verde and entering the group stage.

Instead, the usual mediocrity of local football management was at play immediately after the match, with players complaining about non-payment of allowances. Already, Kenya's number one goalkeeper Anorld Origi had boycotted the two legged qualifier against Mauritius, protesting against the non-refunding of money he spent travelling to Kenya for national duty.

And as Kenya prepared to face Mauritius in Nairobi, Kenya's players were rumoured to have been planning a boycott of the tie - before they were talked out of it.

Is this the way to prepare to face a Cape Verdian side that we easily beat home and away ten years ago, but which has since improved so vastly that they have to wait for us in a later qualification round as we negotiate ourselves out of trouble against the minnows of African football that Mauritius surely are?

What the Cape Verdians have done over the ten years, and what we have not done, is the reason we are steadily going backward as the tiny Atlantic Ocean Islanders confidently climb the ladder of world football. If we are not careful, ten years from now, Mauritius will beat us home and away and we shall be left wondering how we can lose to a team that we dismissed quite easily ten years back.

These are the thoughts that should preoccupy us as we prepare to vote in new football administrators. Whoever is able to read this post and has some power to influence the election outcome should forego selfish interest and put the interest of Kenyan football first.

We need committed and selfless leaders to get us out of the dark hole we have dug for ourselves so that in future, we do not have to tremble with fear at the thought of facing Africa's "Cape Verdes". These are the kind of opponents we should be relishing coming up against, any day, any time.

Meanwhile, I wish Harambee Stars all the best as they plot to defeat Cape Verde in November, whatever the circumstances. Go! Go! Stars! Kenya's long suffering football fans are solidly behind you!

Kenya vs Zambia: Who will blink first?

2015-09-02T09:40:00.000+03:00

Kenya returns to the pitch on Sunday 6th against Zambia intent on securing her first win of the 2017 Afcon qualifiers and boosting chances of appearing at the continental football tournament for the first time since 2004.

That is easier said, though, as Zambia have a higher pedigree in African football compared to Kenya. After all, the Chipolopolo are regular Afcon finals participants and actually won the tournament in 2012.

Ranked 18th in Africa and 73rd in the world, Zambia are 43 places above Kenya in the global FIFA rankings.

All countries in Kenya’s Afcon group E (including Guinea Bissau and Congo) are on one point after the first round of matches, where Kenya drew 1-1 with Congo and Zambia were held to a 0-0 draw by Guinea Bissau. Does that give Kenya hope?

The last time Kenya met Zambia in the Afcon qualifiers was in 1999, when the Zambians won 1-0 home and away. In fact, Kenya have not beaten Zambia in the Afcon before and the overall head-to-head record is overwhelmingly in favour of Zambia.

Since the two countries first met in 1964, they have played each other 34 times, with Kenya winning six times, drawing six times and losing 22 times. The most recent encounter was during the 2009 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup tournament held in Nairobi where Harambee Stars lost 0-2 to the Zambians.

Against this background, do we stand any chance of beating the Zambians and enhancing our chances of qualifying for Gabon 2017? At the start of the qualifying process, it would have been very easy to answer ‘yes’, especially after Kenya threatened to embarrass the highly fancied Congolese in their own backyard before a schoolboy mistake by defender Jackson Saleh gifted them a penalty and the match ended one all.

Two months later, Kenyan fans’ apprehension must be growing that come Sunday evening, they might find themselves on the loosing side yet again.

This should not be the case, especially now that Kenya can again boast of decently talented footballers. We now have numerous players featuring competitively in foreign leagues, the most prominent being undoubtedly Southampton’s Victor Wanyama.

For the first time in a long while, we have a situation where coach Bobby Williamson is spoilt for choice in terms of selecting strikers. Gor Mahia’s Michael Olunga and Tusker FC’s Jesse Were are enjoying top scoring form in the SportsPesa Premier League while Jacob Keli must have learnt one new trick or two from his experience playing in the Zambian league.

As talented as Kenya’s current squad is, the issue of poor preparations might return to haunt us as the case has been many times in the past. Responding to journalists questions after a training session, coach Williamson acknowledged that Zambia had enjoyed better preparations than Kenya and as such held an edge leading to the Sunday encounter.

"Of course, they (Zambia) will always have an advantage but it (early preparation) was out of our hands . It was a question of whether we will have the players and whether the clubs would release them,” said Mr Williamson.

If one were not from Kenya, it would be easy to wonder how the Zambians managed to organise a three-week training programme for their national team while Harambee Stars are counting on four days of training to put together a winning formula against their dangerous opponents.

However, as Kenyans, we know that FKF hardly ever gets anything right. They are the classic ‘reap where you did not sow’ kind of organisation. They are probably already preparing to praise themselves in case of a win and to blame someone if we lose. It was especially disheartening to hear a FKF official talking of ticketing arrangements when he was asked abouk Kenya's preparations for the match.

One other problem facing Kenya is the mental strength of captain Victor Wanyama, whose attempt to engineer a move to Tottenham Spurs was swiftly snuffed out, accompanied with a strong warning from Saints coach Ronald Koeman. Is he currently in the right frame of mind to play?

Additionally, a comedy of errors meant that Paul Were’s mooted move to Gor Mahia never materialised and the player has thus missed precious playing time. Considering that he was Kenya’s brightest player in Congo, that is a great loss indeed.

And there is the small matter of goalkeeping. Kenya’s most reliable goalkeeper has been Arnold Origi for a long while now. While he has already played close to 2000 minutes for his club Lillestrom of Norway, the player seems reluctant to continue serving his motherland with dedication, yet that is the least we can ask of him.

If Origi is a no show again, we shall be left with the option of Gor Mahia’s Boniface Oluoch, who will definitely torture millions of Kenyans silently praying for 90 minutes that he does not have one of his bad days in goal.

Having said all that, my hope is that we shall get that first Afcon win against Zambia and improve our chances of going to Gabon 2017. We have that Kenyan spirit that seems to drive us on even in the midst of the toughest of challenges. After all, we have home ground advantage - the 12th player. So, Go! Go! Stars!

Hooligans decide Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards tie

2015-08-23T20:15:00.004+03:00

The 2015 SportsPesa Premier League second leg tie between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards was shaping up into one of the most entertaining mashemeji derby of recent times until acts of hooliganism brought the tie to its premature end in the 65th minute.

Gor versus AFC Leopards is always an explosive affair regardless of each team’s form. Gor Mahia are currently riding high as the unbeaten, run-away premier league leaders seeking their third consecutive league title. Leopards, on their part, are struggling in position five of the log , having last won the premier league in 1998.

This did not however stop the Ingwe supporters from pouring into Nyayo National Stadium, almost matching the huge turnout of the green army of Gor supporters, as both sets of fans sought to have their own say in the latest display of Kenya’s greatest club football rivalry.

Gor’s superiority showed throughout the match as they pounded the Leopards’ goal with crosses, some of which should have been converted into goals by the likes of Michael Olunga and Khalid Aucho but for keeper Lukas Indeche’s heroics.

Then in the 65th minute, AFC Leopards’ defender Jackson Saleh handled the ball and the referee pointed to the spot straight away. It was a clear and incontestable penalty but Leopards fans would not let Gor take it, instead throwing objects on the pitch and causing the match to be abandoned for security reasons.

I am beginning to wonder whether AFC leopard’s Jackson Saleh derives some kind of pleasure from handling the ball in his penalty area. For heaven’s sake, how can one explain the defender’s handling of the ball in the penalty area in three high stake matches in a row?

In June during Kenya’s first Afcon qualifier match against Congo, Saleh denied Kenya a precious win in Congo by unnecessarily handling the ball in the penalty area. Two weeks later, he did the same against Ethiopia and contributed to Kenya’s elimination from the CHAN qualifiers.

Whatever the reasons for Saleh’s repeated errors, the latest handed Gor an opportunity to break the deadlock and pile more pressure on the Ingwe den but as stated, Ingwe fans thought otherwise.

While Leopards fans cannot escape responsibility for causing the tie’s abandonment, the incident also proved that we still have a long way in reaching high standards of stadium security management that are a prerequisite for a professionally run football league.

Although Gor fans behaved admirably during Ingwe fans provocation, there had been some disturbance at half time and referring to the disturbance, the match commissioner was quoted by Supersport explaining that he had asked the police to separate Gor and Leopards fans by creating a buffer zone between them but his advice was ignored.

Moving forward, whatever sanctions are ordered later by the Kenya Premier League, all parties involved in Kenya’s football administration must seek ways of ensuring that going to the stadium becomes a secure, enjoyable, family-friendly experience for all football lovers in the country. Hooliganism should not be allowed to thrive in Kenyan football.

Gor's defence of premier league title unstoppable

2015-08-09T19:33:00.001+03:00

Kenyan premier league defending champions Gor Mahia returned to the SportsPesa Premier league in style after their exploits in the recently concluded CECAFA Kagame Cup.

Coach Frank Nuttal had asked his team to return to Kenya with a bang after their 2-0 loss against Tanzania’s Azam FC in the final and, with a 6-1 battering of KCB, they surely did that and some more.

Two classic finishes in the first half were enough to disorient a KCB side that only a week before had beaten Thika United 3-2.

Olunga’s finish for Gor’s first goal was the epitome of a confident attacker's strike as he rushed forward to calmly tap in Godfrey Walusimbi’s perfectly angled pass.

Then to prove that they were currently a class above everyone else in Kenya’s top league, the team fondly called Kogallo by their adoring fans put together a move of the season that started with captain Musa Mohammed’s inch perfect long pass that beautifully found Innocent Wafula around KCB’s 18 yard box.

Wafula dribbled around KCB’s three defenders as he calculated how to launch the perfect pass. When the pass came, it sweetly fell on Meddie Kagere’s right foot and the former APR man hit the best half volley you can expect to see in a game of football to make it 2-0.

In fact, the score should have been 4-0 by half-time but Olunga had two shots brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Zakary
Onyango.

Gor continued their relentless attack of KCB goal in the second half and in the 56th minute, Kagere launched an assured run towards goal that resulted in defender Mark Odhiambo banging the ball into his own net to make it 3-0 for Gor.

Clearly complacent after their third goal, Gor’s defence went to sleep and gave former Gor striker Paul Kiongera the chance to tap in KCB’s consolation goal.

A late ferocious shot from Olunga was excellently saved by KCB's keeper
Zakary Onyango before Kagere (with his second), midfielder Khalid Aucho and substitute Enock Agwanda put the icing on Gor’s performance for a final 6-1score.

Overall, Gor Mahia’s performance was ample proof that they indeed are playing at a level above everyone else in Kenyan football at present.

It was also proof that their participation at the CECAFA Kagame Cup has given them an edge and swagger that might be enough to wrap up their defence of the premier league title in record time.

Wanyama should stay put at Southampton

2015-08-07T17:16:00.002+03:00

It is that high season in European football again when clubs buy to strengthen their squads and sell the unwanted and want-aways.

Already, high profile deals have been concluded for the likes of Angel di Maria (Manchester United-Paris Saint Germain); Robin Van Persie (Manchester United- Fernebahche); Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich-Manchester United); and Raheem Sterling (Liverpool-Manchester City).

There are still some unresolved sagas like the one involving Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, whose linkage to Real Madrid has preoccupied journalists and fans throughout the transfer window. There are also some rumoured high profile signings like the one linking Manchester United with Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez.

Our very own Victor Wanyama of Southampton has not been spared from the rumour mills and reports suggesting the player would like to play Champions League football have been doing the rounds.

Like in the previous two seasons, big clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs and Fiorentina have been suggested as possible destinations for the Kenyan national team captain.

The best move for Wanyama, however, would be to stay put at Southampton, where he had a wonderful first season and enjoyed huge play time that he would certainly end up coveting were he to make a move to, say, Arsenal-where bench time would be beckoning.

With Morgan Sneiderlin having moved to Manchester United and Nathaniel Clyne to Liverpool, Wanyama's defensive midfield role at Southampton will be even more important at the club this season. Having settled so well at the Saints after moving from Celtic, the midfielder will be counted upon by both his coach and fellow players to instil a calming influence in front of the team's back line.

Do Oliech and Mariga still have something to offer Harambee Stars?

2015-08-07T16:00:00.000+03:00

With only weeks remaining before Kenya faces Zambia in the second match of the 2017 Afcon qualifiers, news that Dennis Oliech and Macdonald Mariga have been recalled to the national team must be music to the pair’s admirers but, at the same time, might have sounded like alarm bells to critics.

Dennis Oliech, is without a doubt, one of the greatest strikers that Kenya has ever produced. In deed, he blossomed at the same as England’s Wayne Rooney and Portugal’s Christano Ronaldo, and was at one time ranked amongst the top most young footballers with greatest promise.

Although he did not go on to dominate global football columns like Christiano and Rooney, Kenyans can confidently state that Oliech has been very important to the country’s national team for the past ten or so years.

It was due to his striking exploits that we made it to our last Afcon tournament in Tunisia in 2004, and he has filled us with joy on numerous occasions as we witnessed defenders cowering in the wake of his devastating runs towards opponents’ goal areas.

As for Mariga, well, what more could we have asked? In his prime, his contributions in midfield helped determine the difference between Kenya winning or losing matches. I remember especially his stand out performance when Kenya beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in a 2010 World Cup/Afcon qualifier.

That win put Kenya top of a group that also had Guinea and Namibia and, in deed, Harambee Stars eventually made it to the final qualifying round that was won by Nigeria after a big scare for the Super Eagles in Nairobi spearheaded by none other than Dennis Oliech. Were it not for some suspect refereeing, Kenya would have earned their first win against Nigeria on that evening.

Clearly, there are many good things that can be said about Mariga and Oliech as regards Kenyan football. But it has been quite a while now and huge question marks must be allowed as to whether these two great footballers should be fielded again in the national team.

After reaching the peak of his footballing career by winning the UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan under current Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, Mariga’s career took a downward trend worsened by injuries and, to be honest, he has never recaptured his defence splitting form ever since.

Oliech also thrived in France with Auxerre before he started a downward spiral mirrored by his club, got relegated with them and tried in vain to rebuild his career at Ajaccio. As I am writing this piece, I do not know which club Oliech currently plays for.

It is my hope, as it is for all lovers of Harambee Stars, that Coach Bobby Williamson has done some thorough due diligence on these great gentlemen and found them worthy to wear Kenyan national team colours again.

If there is still a trick or two that they can teach the likes of Michael Olunga, Jesse Were and Victor Wanyama, then let them be given a chance in the team to face Zambia in Nairobi.

Oluoch’s history of goalkeeping errors a source of discomfort for Gor and Harambee Stars

2015-08-07T02:24:00.000+03:00

I liked goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch’s honesty when he was quoted in the media expressing his surprise at being named best goalkeeper at the recently concluded CECAFA Kagame Cup held in Tanzania.

To me, keeper Oluoch was completely at fault in conceding the second goal against Azam that effectively ended Gor Mahia's chances of getting back in the game.

This is what he said regarding his error of judgement that led to Azam’s second goal: "In this situation, I thought the ball was going out. When I realized it was actually coming towards goal, it was too late and realized I could have hit my head on the goal post if I had tried going for it.”

As long as it remained 0-1, Gor had realistic hopes of getting one goal back and taking the match into extra time. However, once it was 0-2 in the second half of a cup final, it was game over for the Kenyan premier league champions.

It is very difficult to categorise Oluoch as either an exceptional or hopeless keeper. In one instance he can produce magical brilliance to stop goal bound shots. In another, he can commit totally inexplicable goalkeeping errors that leave you wondering whether to laugh or cry.

A number of errors committed by the former APR and Tusker goalkeeper strongly vindicate my position. What should have been a dream Harambee Stars debut in December 2010 quickly turned into a nightmare for keeper Oluoch.

After a dismal performance by first choice keeper Wilson Obung’u against Malawi, Oluoch was preferred for Kenya’s second match against Ethiopia in the 2010 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup. This is how journalist Patrick Korir summed up Oluoch’s performance that evening:

...Oluoch’s performance must be dubbed relative. A 25th minute free kick that gave Ethiopia its first goal left the Tusker keeper glued to the spot. But he can be forgiven as there was a slight deflection to the kick that left him stuck.

Somewhere in the game against Ethiopia, Oluoch raced to clear a ball outside the box and his clearance fell right at the foot of an Ethiopian player. But luckily, the player who got the ball was a bit shocked at the ‘ball on a platter’ and sent the ball way above a yawning net leaving Kenyans relieved. It could have been 3-0 for Ethiopia.

But in the last game against Uganda on Sunday evening, a seemingly even game between Kenya and Uganda was set to end with Kenya trailing 0-1.

earned a needless red card

But Oluoch went berserk. With seconds left in the game, the keeper went up for an easy picking but stuck out his left foot planting it right into the chest of Ugandan substitute Robert Ssentongo.

The move shocked all as the keeper, in only his second cap for Stars, earned a needless red card and conceded a ‘stupid’ penalty that was converted by Andy Mwesigwa for Kenya to go down 0-2 to their arch rivals.

Oluoch’s action was too damn to defend with his coach Jacob Ghost Mulee not anywhere close to his defense.

“I cannot understand what he was up to” is what he had to say of his keeper.

Two years later, Tusker were Kenya’s representatives at the 2012 CECAFA Kagame Cup held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tusker needed to win against Tanzania's Azam FC to proceed beyond the group stage but, with Boniface Oluoch in goal, Tusker could only manage a 0-0 score.

A live text commentary by journalist Dennis Machio captures a common feature of Oluoch’s goalkeeping errors thus:

Tusker FC keeper Boniface Oluoch has been handed a red card in the ongoing group B match against Azam for handling the ball out of his area. In his place comes substitute Samuel Odhiambo who is also an equally strong keeper.

The resultant free kick from the foul on the top of the box taken by Azam rattled the cross bar.Andrew Murunga had to be sacrificed for Odhiambo.

Tusker needs to win the match to be assured of qualifying for the quarter finals of the CECAFA Kagame Cup having drawn their first match against Mafunzo of Zanzibar 0-0.

A 0-0 draw against Azam today or a loss will see the Kenyan champions pack their bags for Nairobi.

This same Oluoch error trait manifests itself again in a 2013 DSTV/SuperSport Cup match between tusker and Gor Mahia. On this occassion, Boniface Oluoch rushed outside his box and handled the ball, earning an automatic exit from the match.

Then Tusker FC’s coach Robert Matano’s anger at the keeper is captured in this exerpt of the match report by journalist Otieno Otieno:

Tusker coach Robert Matano has expressed disappointment with goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch for being sent off early in Saturday's DSTV/SuperSport Cup match against rivals Gor Mahia.

Matano said the keeper showed indiscipline in allowing himself to be sent off early in the match and hinted that he may be forced to take disciplinary action.

Oluoch handled outside his box and earned a straight red card from referee Sylvester Kirwa. Tusker went on to relinquish the trophy after losing 4-4 on post match penalties after the match had ended 0-0 in normal time.

Speaking after Saturday's match, Matano expressed anger at the goalkeeper's performance pointing out that they should have won the match with 11 eleven men on the pitch.

"It is disheartening that a goalkeeper of his experience can make such a mistake. It is not the first time he is doing this and something must be done to him," he said.

And in June this year, Kenya was playing against hosts Congo in the first match of the 2017 Afcon qualifiers. At some point in the match, Oluoch inexplicably rushed outside his box to challenge a
Congolese striker, who happily chipped him. Luckily defender David 'Cheche' Ochieng made a timely clearance and prevented another Oluoch disaster.

In September, Kenya is poised to play Zambia in the second match of the 2017 Afcon qualifiers in Nairobi and it is my hope that somebody else, rather than Oluoch, will be keeping goal for Kenya.

As for his continued first choice status for Gor Mahia, my position is that he is one of the team’s weakest links. If Gor Mahia seriously harbour designs of winning regional and continental trophies, they must shop for a top class goalkeeper.

Latest SportPesa sponsorship deal great but we can do better

2015-08-07T00:48:00.007+03:00

It is great news indeed that the Kenya Premier League have signed a new sponsorship deal with local betting firm SportPesa, said to be in the region of Ksh 360 million spread over four and half years.

The revival of Kenyan football owes a lot to the return of football sponsorship in the country, with the Supersport-KPL deal several years ago laying a firm foundation for the decent football successes being enjoyed in the local football scene today.

The importance of sponsorship to the well being of Kenyan football was aptly acknowledged by KPL Chairman Ambrose Rachier during the official announcement of the Sportspesa deal on Thursday.

“We warmly welcome SportPesa to KPL. The sponsorship will help maintain the level of success the league has enjoyed in the region,” Mr Rachier said.

According to Nairobi News, the agreement is for Ksh 80 million with a ten percent increment every year bringing the total figure over the entire duration of the contract to around Sh 360 million.

This would be a great improvement on the previous sponsorship of Ksh 170 million from East Africa Breweries Limited that expired in June.

Before the signing of a US$ 5.5 million television broadcast rights deal between Supersport and KPL, Kenyan football had sunk to its lowest level, with the best Kenyan footballers abandoning local clubs for greener pastures in Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Rwanda.

However, the deal not only brought these players back home but started an influx of foreign players into local football that has persisted to date. The Supersport deal was later enhanced to about Ksh 1 billion and is in its final year.

These deals have shown us a glimpse of what is possible with proper and professional football management. Indeed, were it not for football sponsorship, instead of cheering Gor Mahia at the recently concluded CECAFA Kagame Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, we would have long mourned and forgotten its demise from Kenyan football.

We are all witnesses to what money can do to a country’s football, the reference here of course being the English Premier League, which was transformed into the best football league in the world through the injection of astronomical amounts of cash from both inside and outside Great Britain.

The league only recently announced a new staggering £5.136 billion TV rights deal effective from the 2016 season and Manchester United, the most successful premier league club, have just started enjoying a mouth watering ten year £750 million Adidas shirt sponsorship deal.

These are figures that we can not even start to dream about in Kenya, but they offer strong motivation that financial support can transform a country’s football world.

The scene in Kenya is made unattractive to sponsors by poor club management, corruption and recurrent infighting between Football Kenya Federation and KPL.

We need to emulate European football’s best practices and strengthen our administrative structures. Once we do this, we shall be in an even stronger position to bargain for much more lucrative sponsorship deals that will surely benefit everyone involved in Kenyan football.

To excel in African football, we must sort the mess in Kenyan football

2015-08-03T13:03:00.000+03:00

The 2015 CECAFA Kagame Cup championship came to a disappointing conclusion for Kenyan fans as Gor Mahia finally found the going tough against Tanzania’s Azam FC, whose defensive philosophy was proudly broadcast to everyone that cared to listen by club coach Stewart Hall.

In retrospect, however, Gor’s 0-2 defeat to the rich Tanzanian club should not be viewed as too much of a disappointment. Only 12 months ago, the Kenyan champions could not win a single match as they bowed out at the group stage of the same tournament held in Rwanda.

As the 2015 edition approached, it increasingly appeared that Gor Mahia might not even make it to Dar es Salaam. In typical Kenyan football management style, it emerged that an agreement between CECAFA and Football Kenya Federation – to the effect that FKF would cater for the transport costs of Kenya’s representatives – was just hot air.

Facing the danger of not making it to the tournament, a hastily organised fundraiser was held to raise funds for the club’s air tickets. The amount raised fell short of requirements and President Kenyatta had to step in to purchase air tickets for the team.

The first match Gor faced against Yanga had been largely called in Yanga’s favour but instead Gor put in a wonderful performance to beat the fancied Tanzania mainland representatives. A similar story unfolded against KMKM of Zanzibar and suddenly, Gor Mahia were elevated to favourites status.

The club lived up to expectations and made it to the finals where, unfortunately, an efficient Azam defence and a clinical forward line ended their dreams for a sixth CECAFA club title.

For a club that has lacked sponsors for close to two years, it is amazing that Gor Mahia are actually fighting for titles rather than battling against relegation. During a similar cash starved period a few years ago, it was normal to find Gor at the bottom of the league table and, in deed, boardroom intervention was required to keep the club in the top flight on more than one occasion.

The situation is a bit different now due to the funds available from Kenya Premier League sponsors Kenya Breweries and Multichoice. Additionally, the huge following that Gor enjoys in the country means they can count on some cash from gate collections.

Contrast this with the immense financial resources at Azam FC’s disposal and you begin to appreciate that Gor have done a really commendable job in Dar es Salaam. The most valuable defender of the tournament, Azam’s Serge Wawa, is from the Ivory Coast. Only a year ago, Wawa was in the El Merreikh (Sudan) team that won the 2014 CECAFA Kagame Cup in Rwanda.

Needless to say, El Merreikh is one of the richest clubs in Africa, able to compete for top African football talent with the other African football giants that include Al Ahly of Egypt and Esperence of Tunisia. That Azam can manage to secure the services of a top class defender signed to this class of football giants is a huge testament of the club’s readiness to compete at the highest level.

The world over, we are seeing the importance of money in building competitive and title winning teams. Modern football requires that teams should be well organised, professional and well funded. It is not accidental that the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich have become so dominant in their leagues and in Europe.

Gor Mahia, because of its pedigree, should by now have become a model in African Football. Historical achievements demand that Gor should be much superior to El Merreikh, Azam FC, Yanga, and so on. Lest we forget, it remains the only East African club to have won a continental championship.

What Kenyan football fans should be enjoying now is a Gor competing with and beating the likes of Esperence, Al Ahly, Zamalek, and the rest of the big clubs in Morocco, Algeria, Congo DR, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and South Africa.

All the problems that are preventing Gor Mahia from enjoying lucrative sponsorship deals must be identified and sorted out. The day that we have Gor, AFC Leopards, Tusker, et cetera, competing at the highest level in Africa is the day that Kenyan football will stand tall in African football. We all have a responsibility.