Kenya Football in the 1990s
Kenya Football in the 1990s
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John Odhiambo and his team-mates kept close tabs on Austin Okocha as Kenya Kenya takes on Nigeria in 1997 read the match report here
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Kenya qualified for the 1990 Africa nations cup, marking the only time that Kenya qualified for the continental event twice in succesion. It was even more impressive because in those days, only eight teams could qualify. As a result Kenya qualified ahead of giants like Ghana and Morocco. At the 1990 Africa Nations cup Kenya, now under coach Mohammed Kheri, gave a better performance drawing against Senegal 0-0, lost narrowly to Zambia 0-1 before losing 2-0 to the Cameroun team that reached the quarter finals of the world cup only 2 months later. Kenya had an excellent line-up with players like the brilliant Abbas Magongo who controlled the midfield with authority. Also im midfield was George Onyango "Fundi" and John "Shoto" Lukoye. In defence, the pair Austin Oduor and the youthful giant Paul Ochieng were reliable and were ably supported by Tobias Ocholla and Wycliff Anyangu on the flanks. In attack, Kenya had a variety of options including Peter Dawo, Henry Motego and Paul Onyiera. Following that tournament, Washington Muhanji was offered professional contracts by European clubs. Muhanji could not make it because he he had a standing contract with the army. Mike Okoth Origi is pictured above in the blue strip of his club, Racing Genk of Belgium. Besides Genk, Okoth has featured prominently for other top Belgian clubs such as KV Ostende and Harelbeke. In 1991 , Kenya played Sudan in the final Africa nations cup qualifier. Having held Sudan to a goalless draw in Khartoum, Kenya needed to win the return leg at Kasarani. However with seconds left, the score was 1-1 and Sudan looked set to eliminate Kenya on away goals rule. Just as Kenyans were losing hope, winger Sammy Onyango picked up the ball on the left wing, lost his marker and suddenly had acres of space. He sent one of his trademark inch perfect crosses to Mike Okoth who duly headed home Kenya's second goal. Kenya thus qualified for the Africa cup of nations in 1992 but it was yet another disaster. As the tournament started, many of the players were apparently unhappy with coach Gerry Saurer and decided to give a lacklusture performance in order to have the coach fired. There were reports in the media that that Saurer was not a qualified coach and that he got the job due to his friendship with caretaker KFF chairman, Adams Karauri. Harambee stars pose for a group photo before their match against Nigeria at Senegal 92, they lost 2-1. Saurer was however a good identifier of talent. He traversed the country and developed what is probably the best U-20 team Kenya has ever produced. Almost all his products went on to represent the senior national team. There was Sammy Omollo, Vincent Kwarula, Allan Odhiambo, Peter Mwololo among others. Following the 1992 Africa nations cup, Mike Okoth Origi and Peter Mwololo were impressive enough that they were noticed by European scouts and offered contracts in Belgium. Mwololo had already signed for a middle East side prior to the tournament so he could not go to Europe. Mike Okoth however was able to join Belgian club KV Ostende. In 1994, Kenya Breweries reached the finals of the Africa cup winners cup. After forcing a 2-2 draw away to DC Motema Pembe of Zaire, it appeared that Breweries were poised for continental glory , only to loose the home leg 3-1. There were reports that over-confidence played a huge part in the loss. In fact players were not training as seriously for the return leg as they should have. Breweries however salvaged their reputation , by winning the national league, becoming the first team other than Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards to win it since 1978. Kenya was selected to host the Africa nations cup in 1996. Initially the government had agreed to construct a new stadium in Mombasa to host the tournament. However as the tournament drew near, it became clear that the government of President Moi was not going to come through on their promise. It is rumoured that they were afraid that the opposition parties would claim credit if the country hosted the tournament succesfully because KFF chairman, Job Omino was then a member of the opposition party. As a result Kenya did not host the tournament and was banned for two years. It was the first amongst many bitter dissapointments that Kenya suffered due to politics. 1997 saw a brief revival of the fortunes of Kenyan soccer under coach Reinhard Fabisch. Fabisch assembled a youthful team whose average age was 22 years. The team played extremely well, winning against the likes of Gabon and Guinea while forcing draws away to Cameroun and at home to Nigeria. . That team which included Seleman Rashid, John Odhiambo, Maurice Sunguti, Victor Onyango brought brief joy and hope to Kenyan football fans. Suddenly the whole country became Football crazy. Fabisch was later to resign after disagreeing with KFF secretary James Nyamweya over players allowances. Okocha03.jpg (15007 bytes) John Odhiambo and his team-mates kept close tabs on Austin Okocha as Kenya Kenya takes on Nigeria in 1997 read the match report here The late 90s saw emergence of two new , extremely popular clubs both of whom have become among the country's best teams. Coast stars was formed in 1997 to represent Mombasa town and in effect Coast Province. Within two years of its formation , it reached the final of the Moi golden cup, finished second in the National League, and qualified for the CAF cup. One of the biggest stories in Kenyan Football in the 1990s is that of Mathare United FC. The team which based in one of Nairobi's poorest slums and is sponsored by Bob Munro, started out as a local neighborhood team playing in youth tournaments locally and abroad. It consisted of street children who would othrewise spend their days sniffing glue and ramaging through garbage damps. Mathare United has now become one of Kenya's premier Football teams. In 1999 they won the local cup and in 2000 they made it to the second round of the Africa Cup winners cup and retained the Moi Golden Cup. Mathare United midfielder, Simon Mulama, tackles John Utakka, the Nigerian forward of Egyptian club side Ismailia. Mathare came agonisingly close to eliminating the fancied Egyptian side during the 2001 Cup winners cup. In 1999 Mumias Sugar came close to becoming the first team from Western province ever to win the league. In fact they finished at the top of the standings but were disqualified after an investigation determined that they had bribed members of Kisumu All Stars in their final league match. Also In 1999 Kenya won the inaugural CECAFA under 20 tournament ,indicating that Kenya does possess talent which if nurtured and given good exposure, can go places. Kenya takes on Uganda at the CECAFA tournament for players of age 20 and below.
Harambee stars pose for a group photo before their
match against Nigeria at Senegal 92, they lost 2-1.
