Mourning the dearth of football

By Omulo Okoth

Footballers were cheering and shouting themselves hoarse. Many others were still queuing outside the huge tent constructed by soft drinks giant, Coca Cola, to wait for their moment.

This was not at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where Harambee Stars hosted Nigeria’s Super Eagles, but at the Nyayo National Stadium, where the soft drink company treated Kenyans to a fanfare as part of the Fifa World Cup trophy itinerary.

Inside the huge dark tent, people were watching an eight-minute movie highlighting the glorious moments of Fifa World Cup. The 1990 finals in Italy were particularly nostalgic. When I watched Cameroon’s Roger Milla do his flag post jig, I felt blood racing through my veins. When I watched Makanaky and the Biyick brothers (Kana and Oman), run rings around champions, Argentina, Kunde, Ebwelle Tatw, I almost cried.

They relived the memories of Lothar Matthaus, Rudi Voeller, Pierre Littbarski, Reuter, and Juergen Klinsmann. My God!

Completely outplayed

They also showed the 2002 final, where the Zizou team mates, Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blac and Robert Pires completely outplayed and outwitted Ronaldo and the Samba Boys at Stade de France. What a spectacle! Indeed, Coca Cola brought those old memories when I used to jump like an excited billy goat at the slightest mention of football.

After those eight nostalgic minutes, I quietly walked to the dais to pose and grin for the picture session inside another room where one was supposed to move out as fast as his or her picture was taken.

I did not want to stay there any longer. Not because I didn’t like the company around me. Indeed, the jamboree was true to type. Music, drama, face painting, name it.

Big deal

But I recalled the days when football was big deal in Kenya. I recalled the days of Marshall Mulwa and his military-style regime. Indeed, I remembered his squad like they were playing only yesterday. From Abbas, to Peter Bassanga Otieno, Mickey Weche, John Bobby Ogolla, Josephat Murila, Jared Ingutia, Wilberforce Mulamba, Douglas Mutua, JJ Masiga, Nashon Mahila, Ambrose Ayoyi, Ouma Jacaranda, name them.

I also remember the squad of Reinhardt Fabisch (RIP) where Mulamba, Ayoyi and Weche were again star players. But this time, he combined his experience with the youthful verve and flare of David Ochieng’, Hassan Juma, Wycliffe Anyangu, Austin Oduor, Charles Otieno, James Nandwa and Sammy ‘Jogoo’ Onyango (RIP).

Even at club level, we had some of the best players ever seen in this part of the world. Gor Mahia (Thigo, Oluoch Lule, Owino Kempes, Tim Ayieko, Odembo Nyangi, Zangi, Gideon Hamisi, Fundi, Zamalek), AFC Leopards (Lidonde, Kadenge, Masiga, Mulamba), Re-Union (Charles Ochieng’, Kiiza, Swalleh Ochieng’, Ogutu, Omonge, John Odie), MoW (Amwayi, Ouma, Musuku, Litali, Lichungu), KTM (Rishadi Shedu, Otieno Omondi, Mahila, Hussein Kheri), Rivatex (Kanindo), Volcano (Olang’, Juma, Zamoyoni Mogela, Davis Oyiela), Shabana (Mabrouk, Otambo), Breweries (Adero, Paul Onyiera, Odera,) drew some of the wildest following because of their display of the beautiful game.

These were players who were committed to club and country. I remember Bobby Ogolla receiving nine stitches at a Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup final in Kampala, only to return minutes later. With a heavily-bandaged temple, he headed a dangerous cross, which sent the bandages and cotton wool, awash with blood, flying in the air.

Yet, they were not really motivated by monetary considerations. These were good players who would, had there been European scouts around then, have made it big in Europe. However hard I am convinced that we have world-class players, I only return home empty-handed.

Could it have something to do with management? Or, may be, changing lifestyles? Commercialisation of the game? Is it the huge influence of television driving our players to behave like women, complete with ponytails, dyed or pleated hair, earrings?

Are these distractions adding value to the quality of the game? From Nyayo Stadium, many thoughts raced through my mind. And I think we have a long way ahead.

—The writer (iomulo@standardmedia.co.ke) is The Standard Sports Editor