KAIKAI'S KICKER: Go, Harambee Stars, Go!

CHAN looks like a potentially good break for this country, especially if we take this moment to reignite our passion for national football. Without contestation, Kenya is a football-mad nation. Let no one doubt it, we adore football. Not just our own, but just good football. Before CHAN, we were all following English Premier League and letting our rivalries play out as if the English teams were our own. 

Look, I am an Arsenal fan, but not the suicidal type. I make up for the disappointments of Emirates by taking solace in favourable results coming from Dandora Stadium, Bukhungu Stadium, Kisii Stadium, St. Sebastian Park in Murang’a, and even my local Kajiado side, Ereteti FC.

The totality of it is — football brings joy to Kenyans. As CHAN beckons, let us throw all our weight behind Harambee Stars and its coach Benny McCarthy, as they go not into this tournament alone, but as they begin the journey to the revival of the fortunes of our national soccer side.

CHAN is going to be a big experiment for coach McCarthy and the Harambee Stars. It will, in a way, be a baptism-by-fire experience considering that this is not necessarily an easy group to be in. Morocco is a global soccer powerhouse — the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a hardened outfit that has taken some of the greatest knocks in history, including a 9-0 drubbing by Yugoslavia in the 1974 World Cup. The word to underline there is World Cup. Zambia has traditionally been a troublesome opponent capable of pulling surprises — and capable of football glory, as they one time showcased with a 4-0 defeat of Italy.

Angola is generally a stubborn side to beat and can therefore not be taken lightly. But we have to expect and wish for the best for the Harambee Stars in each match. Traditionally, playing Kenya at home can be a nightmare for visiting teams.

A star-studded Nigeria learnt this the hard way one time as we defeated them 1-1 in Kasarani. But it is the great Algeria that paid the ultimate price of our occasional greatness — we knocked them out of the World Cup qualifiers. In football terms, such an act lies within the same frame as treason and terrorism.

So, let’s go to Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium knowing that Harambee Stars is capable of giving us four of some of the greatest matches in history.

As the 12th player, our fans can make this possible if we pack the terraces and give the boys an atmosphere fit of a home team. Let’s go cheer Harambee Stars, chant their names and sing their praises. For the next one month, let’s choose cheers over jeers. Let’s, for once, take the moment to pursue collective joy as Kenyans.

And that’s my Kicker.