CHAN: Baba Dogo pride soars with Harambee Stars’ fairytale run

When quarterfinal-bound Harambee Stars walked out for their last CHAN 2024 group fixture against Zambia, the chants that lifted from the terraces carried more than just football dreams.

For the people of Baba Dogo, Lucky Summer, and Korogocho, every kick and every tackle that punctuated the match and the eventual win that secured Kenya Group A's top spot was a celebration of a lifeline—the saving of the Baba Dogo Grounds that has been rocked with ownership controversies in the recent past.

The contested field, which has bred modern-day superstars like Harambee Stars stalwarts Austin Odhiambo and Alphonse Omija, as well as legends like Michael Olunga and Collins 'Gatusso' Okoth, has long faced the threat of being lost to private developers. 

However, the recent intervention by President William Ruto that halted developments and the subsequent handing of the grounds back to the community has turned despair into jubilation.

Austin, who grew up weaving his craft on the very soil now under dispute, has become the face of that hope, especially after recently appealing to the president after their win against Zambia to resolve the dispute finally.

“That was where I started my football journey, and even when I still get time, I still go back there to play,” he said.

“It has been so instrumental for me, and it will be important in developing the next crop of players.” He added.

Omija, who has been equally vital in Kenya’s CHAN fairytale run, shares the same roots.

“I was born in Korogocho, but I began my football at the Baba Dogo ground, where I featured in the U-10, U-12, and U-16.

“It has been a journey, and I thank God for how far I have come.”

Their enviable journeys are now fueling pride across the settlements. As Harambee Stars stunned giants Morocco and the DRC and battled Zambia, residents celebrated not just the goals but the survival of the ground that birthed their heroes. 

Yahya Nzao, the community secretary, says the fight is not over, but the spirit is alive again.

“We continue to implore the business community to explore ways of supporting development at the grounds for the benefit of all,” he said.

Former players like Job Ouma see the grounds’ enduring role as undeniable, pointing to the Michael Olunga Football Academy trials currently being hosted there.

"Despite them coming with tractors and excavating the grounds, lowering the quality, the ground is still vital, as you can see the Michael Olunga Foundation U-16 Trials are currently ongoing." 

Without this ground, there would be increased crime rates in this area." He added,

FKF vice president McDonald Mariga captured the mood of many when he urged the government to secure Baba Dogo permanently to solve the impasse.

“We want to thank the President for safeguarding the ground, which has produced many stars,” Mariga said.

“We would urge him to secure it so we can have even more in the future.”

For now, Baba Dogo lives, Harambee Stars shine, and the residents have a sigh of relief—united by a ground that refuses to stop dreaming.