•After an agonising spell of silverware drought, the Kenyan lads have eventually managed to garnish their trophy cabinet with another title.
•The win did not come as a surprise considering how organised head coach Engin Firat’s charges were
Image: KPL
I wish to extol Harambee Stars for a task well accomplished at the Four Nations contest in Lilongwe, Malawi. Bravo Team Kenya!
Like the rest of the local football enthusiasts, I’m in a delirious mood following the team’s master-class act where they successfully repelled a fierce challenge from both Malawi and Zimbabwe to tuck away the coveted gem.
After an agonising spell of silverware drought, the Kenyan lads have eventually managed to garnish their trophy cabinet with another title.
The win did not come as a surprise considering how organised head coach Engin Firat’s charges were. They displayed relentless determination and an unmatched tactical prowess.
The men’s national team has transitioned into a winning ensemble and if the recent string of impressive results is anything to go by, then it would be quite in order for local football enthusiasts to expect more pleasant surprises.
For a long time, the Stars got brutally chastised for a series of torrid performances on the international front. The team seemed to struggle to string together consecutive passes and the attacking force was nothing but ineffective.
Kenya unexpectedly crashed to regional minnows including a fledgling economy like the South Sudan. Fortunately, the scenario has changed for the better, and things are looking up for the national team.
We’ve heard some commendable outings, especially in build-up encounters, including the two-all draw against global behemoths Russia and a 2-1 win over 2023 World Cup hosts Qatar.
Things got more rosy at the Four Nations tournament at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi where the gallant Kenyan lads made the nation proud with a 4-0 win over the hosts before mauling Zimbabwe 3-1 in a thrilling final encounter.
The pleasant turn of events comes at a time when Harambee Stars are sharpening their talons in readiness for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers that will resume in July.
Kenya, currently third in their group, got their campaign off to a torrid start with a heart-wrenching 2-1 loss to Gabon before bouncing back emphatically to thump Seychelles 5-0.
They now face an uphill task in their next fixtures against an unpredictable Burundian squad before taking the duel to the doorstep of Africa Cup of Nations defending champions Ivory Coast.
Harambee Stars must ensure positive results in both matches to strengthen their qualification chances. Fortunately, everything seems possible considering the current form of the star-studded squad. The team’s success narrative attests to the elevations the nation can attain in football with an organization and a conducive environment.
There have been muffled objections to the continued presence of a dozen players whom fans consider too old to don the national colours.
Interestingly, they are the same ones who performed wonders in Malawi, owing to consistency and experience. True football fans know just too well that it takes a considerable amount of time to build a winning team.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) merits a pat on the back for organising high-profile international friendlies that smoothed out the rough edges of the Stars.