AFCON 2019: Harambee Stars squad selection gives Kenyans reason to expect dismal results in Egypt

It has been said, over and over again that Kenyans do not learn and it seems that everyone that works with Kenyan folk, contagiously contract this bug.

Harambee Stars are returning to Africa’s high table of football and there was a right by Kenyans to expect that Sebastien Migne would give them a good reward for their 15-year patience, at least starting with the squad selection.

But Frenchman Migne has left the country disappointed and asking more questions about what the trip to Egypt is all about. The team picked as provisional suggests the mission in may have nothing about good performance, after all.

The selection is a manifestation that it is a stage where certain hollow selfish interests will be served.

While the so-called mainstream media has been largely quiet and avoided being critical of the Frenchman and word has it that that silence is being bought by media tickets to the tournament.

It is a shame such cheap blackmail can silence a fourth estate that has the duty to critique decisions that affect society.

Only a few bold journalists have come out to share their views that are contrary to what many hold. Majority have opted to see no evil, hear no evil but Sportpesa News editor, Mutwiri Mutuota has not been gagged by all means.

We will take excerpts from his long post on his Facebook:
Having not learnt, the same horrifying management module is manifesting itself with Stars.

A well-fought qualifying campaign to the AFCON is almost being undone by questionable squad selections, with head coach Migne coming out as someone who is being held hostage by his superiors.

How can one explain his argument that Jesse Were for example has not shown enough to convince him he can score for his team yet he has a striker who no one cannot remember scoring in the past two season for the national team or rumored club headed to France?

Or picking two keepers from a team that has slipped to 11th in their own league?

Those highlighting such anomalies including myself have been labeled Githeri Media, anti-Stars or worse but in my case, I wish to make it clear that I have nothing personal against the so called ‘chosen team’, their brilliant young coach, players and staff, their rise in Kenyan football is after all, regardless of how they got there to be celebrated.

But once again, officials who look Intent of bulldozing their wishes are instead, turning the said team and their players into pariahs, they have lost twice in the past week in the SPL since the Stars squad was announced, with every mistake made their keepers coming under harsh scrutiny.

Other players who have excelled locally or abroad like Enock, Nyakeya, Ian, Saruni etc have been left with egg on their faces and wondering what they must do to earn a decent look in by Migne.

Let’s not get to the message it transmits to the rest of the group when they know some of their teammates are there at the behest of the overlords, perhaps sent in as spies for the master.

Once again, we have not learned from the mistakes of Tunisia 2004. Those in the know are aware what happened when some players who had given their all in qualifying were shunted aside for a select few who were shoehoned to the AFCON team.

When will Kenyan football (officials) end the suicidal tendencies when glory or history is in sight?

It could not have been captured any better than that. Surely, Kenyans expected better from the current leadership of the football federation but they have disappointed at every chance and made their predecessor jump to the High Heavens in celebration of their vindication – they were not any worse after all.

In a fortnight the team heads to France for preparations at the Kenyan taxpayer’s expense and the country will have every right to demand better for their KSh240 million investment.

Before Nick Mwendwa and his FKF received the cash he is on record as having said “give us the cash then ask the questions later”. The cash was given and now the country has a right to ask those questions based on the milestones towards the final tournament.

CAF gave a reported KSh55M for preparations which makes a cool KSh300M for this tournament. Some tongues are wagging in some quarters, many asking what budget this FKF administration would present if Kenya qualified for the World Cup while the are in office.

Mwendwa and his FKF must be told that the least Kenyans will take from this Harambee Stars is a round of 16 qualification from a group that has Africa’s best team – Senegal, alongside Algeria and Tanzania.

The selection is suggestive of a AFCON 2019 bid that is over before the ball is kicked and while football miracles still happen, wise counsel has it that you don’t prepare in mediocrity then peg your hopes on miracles.

When going to war, you must have your best soldiers on the front line to stand any chance of success.

The jury will be out when the tournament starts with Kenya’s opening fixture against Algeria on 23 June but for now the record is just being put.

A reminder to Nick Mwendwa of the old saying that goes “to whom much is given, much is expected”.

Should Stars fail then the whip must be cracked against those responsible and this time it must not just be the coach but also the leadership of the federation because on this one, the buck stops with the FKF boss. N