Questions have been raised in Kenya on Harambee Stars preparations and the players selection for Sunday’s away encounter against Tunisia.
Oct 8, 2009 12:59:04 PM
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Local football pundits and fans were yesterday left to ponder as to whether there were attempts by Kenya football governing body, Football Kenya, to throw away Harambee Stars World Cup qualifier against Tunisia on Sunday.

That question became even more urgent yesterday as FKL officials went on the defensive and hurled abuses at the press when it was suggested that there was no effort to raise a strong team to keep alive hopes for Angola 2010.

Despite still having a chance to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, and the possibility of derailing Tunisia’s march to the World Cup next year, FKL officials failed to send a letter to French side, AJ Auxerre to release top striker Dennis Oliech.

After AC Parma midfielder MacDonald Mariga pulled out of the squad through injury, the Harambee Stars’ squad have been robbed of steel that could have given a fight, even if a token, to the Tunisians. Also missing in as many matches is the local defensive kingpin, Mathare United’s Edgar ‘Fighter’ Ochieng.

And when the officials called a "clear the air" press conference yesterday to clarify on the finances they have been receiving in the name of Harambee Stars and the axing of Oliech, FKL Senior vice-chairman, Titus Kasuve went ballistic.

"No comment," he said but went agitatedly to add, "Kenyans are malicious, negative. That is silly question," after KTN reporters asked if there were attempts to fix the match by axing Oliech from the already weakened team. Analysts now think the company has engaged in "a slash and burn" or "making hay while the sun shines" and throwing away the game against Tunisia may be good game for the beleaguered officials.

The officials have in the past taken Harambee Stars to Asian countries for friendlies, which from a technical point of view have not added value to the team’s campaign. And with a staggering £3.06 million (Sh 376, 380, 000) being cash bonus for qualifying for a FIFA World Cup, throwing a match and getting paid for it could be an attractive option for the officials whose days are numbered.

Already the officials are under siege after accusations of financial mismanagement were revealed by a report commissioned by the government and released last week. The report questioned the legality of FKL in the face of FIFA rules, and the surprise role FIFA has played in supporting the company to manage football in the country while Kenya Football Federation is still in existence.


The Super Chickens can't qualify for the world cup, They should forget about the world cup