Key talking points as H. Stars struggles continue.

Harambee Stars head coach Stanley Okumbi(center) during his  appointment as the team's head coach on February. (Photo/Goal.com)

Kenyan National Football team Harambee Stars failed yet again to pick a win under new manager Stanley Okumbi following a 1-1 draw with Tanzanian National Football team the Taifa Stars in a friendly match played at Moi Stadium Kasarani on Sunday 29 May.

The Taifa stars took the lead in the second period through Elias Mrugao heading past Boniface Oluoch who was caught off his line. However Kenya equalized six minutes later through captain Victor Wanyama converting from the spot after Ayub Timbe was luckily brought down in the box. Hopes of a comeback started emanating from the players, but as recent tradition dictates, the Stars could not break through as they lacked the golden touch in the opponents’ box. The draw now means Kenya has lost two and drawn one of their three matches under Okumbi since his appointed by Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa.

However, despite a new management both in the federation and coaching staff taking over football matters in the country, there are still many questions than answers football fans are asking themselves on the fate of our national team. So why does it get always wrong for the Stars?

‘Not yet Okumbi’

This is not the first time Okumbi’s name is brought on the limelight, especially when questioning his qualification to guide Harambee Stars. The current Stars manager was appointed by FKF president Nick Mwendwa back on February 20 to replace Bobby Williamson. Most football pundits were quick to question this move, but the noises slowly diminished and he was allowed to prove himself. Three matches now and Okumbi is yet to register his first win, so does he really deserve the position?

Of course it would be unfair to judge him at this point, having in mind that Kenya’s struggles has been existing for long even before his appointment. However, what Kenyans are seeing is far from the change they wanted, not only in terms of scores but how the team selection is made.

Okumbi has lost the confidence of fellow tacticians in the local scene and this prompt me to ask how one can lead a national team while having poor relation with most local coaches. The former Mathare coach was also blamed for fielding incompetent players from the FKF League in his first match in charge of the national team. At least the voices were heard at this time and Okumbi went for what people wanted.

FKF president Nick Mwendwa was quick to defend his man. According to the FKF boss, this is part of a long-term project to build a strong team for the future. Indeed this sounds promising for our football but should we hold our breath for more years to come?

Fans losing touch with the Stars!

Born and raised at an era when supporting the national football team Harambee Stars came with much pride and enthusiasm, football was more of entertainment. At this time, most Kenyans would create the little time possible to cheer up the national team all over the country. Back then we would go further to skip afternoon sessions in classes to watch the amazing talents in the team which never disappointed when it mattered the most.

The likes of Dennis Oliech, Musa Otieno, Robert Mambo, Emmanuel Ake, Francis Onyiso under the management of Jacob Mulee was a good side to sacrifice all for. 10 years down the line and things are totally different. People will rarely find time for the Stars as compared to watching their European teams.

I decided to watch the Kenya and Tanzania game at a local cinema hall where I attended the finals of the UEFA Champions league the previous night. The hall was full with over 100 fans when Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in a Milan final. The following day brought something different with a mere 10 patriots tuning up for the Kasarani game in the hall.

‘Leo nachukua shilingi kumi’ that was the statement I heard from the man in the hall who was collecting charges for the game. The least people would pay for a game is normally Ksh 20 and would go to Ksh 50. This was incredible. Not even renowned gamblers would risk betting for Kenya, maybe picking a win for the opponents would do.
Well, I do not blame the fans for these but they have all reasons to behave in such way. The attendance in the stadium was also a major concern, in fact the number of Fans present at Kasarani on Sunday was far below the numbers at a Gor Mahia or AFC Leopards match. The management has simply let them down and they demand a better performance from the players representing the nation.

Many people are affected in one way or the other when the national team is not performing well, including the local business people. Drastic measures should therefore be taken to improve the morale of football fans in the country.

Squad rotation not working for Kenya

Stars coach Okumbi has used different line-ups against all three opponents he has faced. Although this is a positive take that highlights Kenya’s wide range of talents, it does not provide what we have been yearning for.

The most consistent players in Okumbi’s line-up have been Victor Wanyama, Teddy Akumu, Joackins Atudo, David Owino, Michael Olunga, Jese Were and Bonface Oluoch. Other players have either been called up and dropped in the following games or forced to play as substitutes when their services were needed the most.

Perhaps this team is missing a consistent set of players who can match-up together. In most times, the Southampton midfielder is forced to adapt to different players in the middle of the pack. This is not good for a national team, considering the rare opportunity they have to train and gel together.

Players need to do their best

Enough of attack on the management, truth be told the players are also part of this under-performance. Certain things cannot be corrected by the manager like missing one-on-one opportunities with goalkeepers and poorly directed passes. We have seen complaints from the players concerning delays in payment or poor treatment that perhaps may have contributed to their low morale in games. I can't ignore this fact, however this should not be the scapegoat because they still perform dismally when they receive better treatment, having in mind this does not happen all the time. 

My first finger points at Boniface Oluoch, the Gor Mahia stopper has been impressive in most cases but sometimes fails to perform up to expectation. Tanzania’s opening goal on Sunday is largely to blame on Oluoch. He was far from his area when the ball went in, was he really going for the ball? Had he stayed at his spot or gone for the ball, things would be better by that time. That was a poor decision from the country’s second best trusted stopper.

Another area Kenya has not done well is in the attack. We boast of good strikers in Michael Olunga, Alan Wanga and Jesse Were but still they have not proved their worth enough. Not even the current Sportpesa Premier League leading scorer Wycliffe Ochomo could replicated his league’s scoring form in the national shirt.  Jesse Were has been impressive for his new side ZESCO United in the Zambian Premier League but he is yet to convert the goals for the Stars.

Fortunately all is not lost, we still have room for improvement despite all the predicament facing the team. There are few fans who share the same spirit I hold of things turning round one day and will never stop supporting this team. Nothing far from winning will convince Kenyans that things are back on track. At 116^th position, it is a shame to be proud of this team but my hope still rests on Mwendwa and his team. The next assignment is against Sudan tomorrow (Tuesday 31^st May) in a friendly match at Kasarani. Another test for Okumbi to prove his credibility from football pundits and fans.