Even as talk of hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations chokes the conversation in football circles, former Harambee Stars defender Bobby Ogolla is more concerned with how the national team will prepare for the tournament.
Ogolla, who featured for Kenya at the All Africa Games in 1987 — the last major football tournament to be held in the country, prevailed upon the government and the Football Kenya Federation to ensure Stars are not just a participant in a ‘home tournament’.
Speaking during a football stakeholders’ media briefing on Tuesday, Ogolla said: “Kenya has the talent. We have seen Harambee Stars play with minimum preparations."
“My prayer is that Kenya will prepare well ahead of the tournament. Before the ‘87 finals, we prepared very well and we performed very well.”
“Four years is not a short time neither is it a long time,” he added. “However, we should start by making sure the right people are in office. From there, we will be able to organize ourselves to ensure Stars perform effectively. We should not go there just to honour matches.”
Ogolla, accompanied by fellow former internationals; Aggrey Lukoye, and Omar Shaban, said they are also keen to see the ‘right people’ take charge at the Football Kenya Federation. Also present were Harold Ndege, Wilfred Marori, Katon Oduor and Jared 'Jaro Soildier' Obonyo.
“It is only in football here in Kenya that you will find pretenders come to manage the game, not in any other sports,” said Ogolla, a former Gor Mahia head coach.
“I want to ask the delegates who will vote at next year’s elections to ensure they put the right people in charge.”
Ogolla said the government, through the Ministry of Sports, should also provide a clear roadmap to the FKF elections, tentatively set for February 24 next year.
“I appeal to the government to put everything in place so that when the elections come, things are done in the right manner and the right people take over (at Kandanda House).”
Ogolla also appealed to Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba to consider former players when forming Afcon committees. “We have a lot to offer,” he said.
