The 2016 football year can be summarized as a year of change in the Kenyan game. Despite the country not achieving much on the continental or global scene, the foundation for future success has continued to be laid.
The year started on a political note with the change of guard at the helm of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), which saw besieged Sam Nyamweya vacate office for little known Nick Mwendwa, who received an overwhelming mandate to change the fortunes of the game that had gone from bad to horrible, and inject in it fresh breathe of life.
Nick beat then Kenyan Premier League and Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier in a one sided elections in February to assume the hot seat. The next step for the youthful administrator was to manage the huge expectations on his shoulders and deliver on the numerous campaign pledges, which according to his scorecard this year he has delivered 7/10.
He quickly put a side his failed attempt to expand the Kenyan topflight to 18 teams from current 16 and concentrated on the work at hand – averting what looked like a continuation of the bloody battle between the previous regime and KPL over the same matter.
The nascent regime would receive a tongue lashing from the top most office of the land with President Uhuru Kenyatta ordering them to put their house in order, after the national U20 team was disqualified from the 2018 Nations Cup qualifiers for fielding ineligible players against Sudan in April.
But once more they did not lose focus, as their eyes remained trailed on reforms and laying structures for the game.
The federation managed to organise basic coaching courses countrywide, reaching marginalised areas like the northern part of Kenya for the first time, in a roadmap to ensuring Kenya qualify for the 2022 Qatar World.
Harambee Stars
The Harambee Stars.
The national men’s senior team yet again failed to qualify for the Nations Cup since 2004 after crushing out of the 2017 campaign in a dramatic fashion.
A double loss to Equatorial Guinea in March pretty much sealed their fate, and despite beating Congo Brazzaville 2-1 at home and drawing 1-1 away to Zambia in their last qualifier in September, they were already out of contention for a spot in Gabon.
The spectacular failure was wholly blamed on “inexperienced” Stanley Okumbi whom the federation handed the Harambee Stars coaching job – taking over from the former Uganda Cranes manager Bobby Williamson amidst loud mummers.
However, it was not all gloom for the national pride. The loss to AFCON debutants Equatorial Guinea on March 27th marked their last in the year, as the team would manage 8-match unbeaten streak in subsequent international friendlies.
FKF ensured the team was engaged throughout the international breaks in an unprecedented move that earned them plaudits from across board.
Stars’ biggest kill came against the Leopards of DR Congo in a warm-up they won 1-0 courtesy of Michael Olunga’s lone goal at the dreaded Stade de Martyrs, Kinshasa on October 4th – helping them break into top 80 in the FIFA ranking to current 84th .
For the first time in ages, the logistics of the team including all other national outfits was well taken care of in time, and never were any issues of delayed allowances or non-refunded travel costs. The teams were well kitted and accommodated, leaving them to only focus on delivering on the field.
Harambee Starlets
The Harambee Starlets.
The women’s senior team edged Algeria on away goal’s rule to qualify for maiden African Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Starlets were placed in a “group of death” alongside 10-times champions Nigeria, Ghana and Mali. But despite not winning a single match, only scoring once against Ghana, the Kenyan queens had made history and to a huge extent awakened the game in the country.
Prior to the continental outing, the Coach David Ouma’s charges finished runners up in the 2016 CECAFA Women’s Championship in Uganda – losing 2-1 to Tanzania in the finals. They also played high profile build-ups against Egypt and Cameroon, as well as taking part in an international tournament in Spain for the first time.
True to their promise, FKF ensured Women’s Premier League kicked-off after two years absence, challenges of funding notwithstanding.
Kenyan Premier League
Jubilant former Tusker FC Coach Paul Nkata.
Ugandan coach Paul Nkata guided Tusker FC to the 2016 crown – bringing to a screeching halt Gor Mahia’s three-season dominance.
Nkata has since ditched the Brewers for Bandari in a move that has left tongues wagging.
The “Johnnie Walker” was quoted saying he came to Kenya to make money. His move to Bandari is rumored to have been fueled by a fat pay cheque that was on offer.
Tusker will now have to move on quick and start plotting for the murky waters of continental football where Gor failed embarrassingly during their reign.
Unlike the 2015 season, this year’s campaign was cold and largely given a wide berth by fans who shied away from going to the stadium.
The fact that K’Ogalo were docked six points for hooliganism against Tusker, only worked to portray the Ruaraka based side, who also won the “GoTV Shield” as boardroom champions.
Goals were few and far between with the golden boot winner Mark Makwatta of Ulinzi Stars failing to cross the 20 goals mark set by Jesse Were last year.
The KPL gala awards was even more confusing as Western Stima’s Kenneth Mugana who Gor Mahia’s prodigy Eric Ouma beat to the new player of the year gong, was crowned the most valuable player.
Overall, KPL management will have to rethink their path heading into the 2017 season, and if possible resuscitate the topflight that has clearly stagnated.
National Super League
NSL 2016 Champions Nzoia United.
The National Super League winners were for once decided on the field of play and not in some boardroom in Nairobi.
Nzoia United left no doubt in their quest to return to KPL, winning the league by a landslide. The second spot went to Kariobangi Sharks who beat Nzoia 1-0 on the last day. Sharks is associated with the FKF honcho Nick Mwendwa.
Kericho based Zoo FC and Nakumatt FC came third and fourth respectively, and will have to wait their fate whether they will gain premier league status or not, when a ruling on the expansion of the topflight is delivered at the Sports Disputes Tribunal.
FKF, under whose management the NSL falls ensured the basics such as fixtures, table standings were released in time, and appointment of referees was also done promptly – restoring the credibility of the competition that was long lost, thanks to boardroom docking and awarding of points to certain clubs close to power under the past regime.
The league is expected to be beamed live on television next year in another exciting milestone.
Kenyans Abroad
Michael Olunga celebrating a goal for Djurgardens IF.
2016 was a fruitful year for Kenyans plying their trade in foreign leagues, as most enjoyed playing time and even scooped awards.
2015 KPL most valuable player Michael Olunga took the Swedish league by storm – netting 12 times and fishing top scorer for his club Djurgardens IF.
The same feat was achieved by Jesse Were who was Zesco United’s top scorer in the Zambian Super League.
Jesse’s teammate David Owino was crowned the fans’ player of the year as well as bagging the chairman’s award for being the highest scoring defender (8 goals) in the club’s history.
The duo were together with midfielder Anthony Akumu were pivotal for the “team ya ziko” – helping them to a semi-final run in the prestigious CAF Champions League.
Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama cemented his role at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League after switching from Southampton this season.
Lierse’s winger Ayub Timbe Masika has been a joy for both club and country, and so is New York Cosmos’ defender Cheche Ochieng’.
As 2017 approaches, Kenyans would like to see gains made so far cemented, and even more done to see Kenya reclaim their place in the African football.
The protracted battle over KPL’s expansion should be over and done with so the game can turn a new page 2017.
