Kenyan Angle: The 12th Man Does It For Nigeria As Kenya Keep Their Heads Up
Goal.com's James Momanyi believes that Nigeria's Europe based stars were reduced to average footballers in yesterday's encounter by a shambolic and nondescript Harambee Stars side.
Nov 15,
The visibly tense Meshioye told me that the Nigerians are expecting a tough outing and more worryingly, it will be the high altitude which will detail the pace of play. But apart from the weather, the sullen faces of the paltry Nigerian fans in the stands foretold an ominous evening when the unexpected would happen and forestall the dreams of millions.
The Nigerian media had earlier indicated that about 6,000 fans would grace the match but a casual count would not have surpassed 400 in the half empty Kasarani Stadium. Their drums and trumpets were ofcourse drowned out by a thousand blaring Vuvuzelas from the Kenyan fans.
In 1997 when the Super Eagles were around for the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, the 60,000 seater stadium was full but the empty spaces during yesterday's match was testimony that many Kenyans had lost hope in their team, and a majority opted for a photo shoot opportunity with the World Cup trophy at Nyayo Stadium.
But who can blame the Kenyans for their lack of optimism for the team when the country is the only one in the world with two football federations, one legally recognised by FIFA statutes and the other by FIFA officiados lead by Ashford Mamelodi.
Secondly, a week before the big clash, the head coach went AWOL after feeling that his authority has been undermined when players were called to camp without his consent. In his absence, a local four-man bench of previous managers is constituted to formulate a winning strategy for a team already low in confidence and self-belief.
Further, unlike in other countries where government support for the national team is highly visible, the Kenyan government has only been providing air tickets when the team goes for away matches. No any other incentive has been given to the boys. Nigeria has spent millions to prepare the team coupled with hefty bonuses since the campaign started.
Closer to home, fellow strugglers and neighbours Rwanda had initially promised the players houses each if they qualify for the pipe dream World Cup, but again on Saturday they promised huge bonuses if they beat Zambia and qualify for Africa Cup of Nations on top of the regular $1500 per win and $100 for a draw. Zambia were also promised $3,500 for each player if they beat Rwanda. For that draw yesterday, the players pocketed $1,750. As for Harambee Stars, nothing. The boys have been doing it just for the love of their country and the hope of career progression.
And of the over 20,000 fans who were brave enough to stream to Kasarani to cheer the team, few were optimistic of a Kenyan win, not with the allay of superstars in the Nigerian side, the qualifying stakes and the chances of the home team qualifying for Angola. In fact it was no surprise that Okocha and Kanu were given a rousing welcome as they emerged from the dug-out before kick-off. Most fans had come to see European based stars such as Obi Mikel, Yobo, Yakubu, Martins, and others whom they watch every other weekend on TV.
And when the game kicked off, their fears were confirmed when Yakubu and Odemwingie went on the prowl in the earlier minutes until the home side became composed. There was a flurry of free-kicks in the Harambee Stars goal-mouth which the much hyped Odemwingie blasted high, beckoning a reality check that this over glorified Nigerian team is actually an average side.
The reality became even more evident when Dennis Oliech breached the Nigerian defence manned by Everton defence linchpin Joseph Yobo to score past Vincent Enyeama. Minutes later Yobo hauled Oliech in the box but Seychelles referee Eddie Mallet waved away penalty appeals.
Oliech, who gave the Nigerian defence a torrid evening, missed another open chance in the dying minutes of the first half which would have made the margin even greater at the break.
And then there was the referee. Sometimes, one wonders what makes FIFA haul a referee from a country like Seychelles. The referee not only penalised all Kenyan players for any foul machinations and dives by Nigerian but turned a blind eye for the other side for deserving fouls. It is no wonder he didn’t give a red card for Stars players, but then he allowed a second goal, together with his assistant, to stand. Yakubu was in an offside position when he first hit the post before hitting the net after the ball rebounded.
The referee must have had a script from high up, which was later shared by coach Shuaibu Amodu to Goal.com when he said after the match that “nothing can be good unless Nigeria is in the World Cup.”
Congratulations Super Eagles. After all, Harambee Stars were not going anywhere after Mozambique beat Tunisia. But Kenya and Tunisia would have saved you the embarrassment you are likely to heap on the continent if this is the team you will parade in South Africa in June next year.
James Momanyi, Goal.com
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