By Fredrick Nadduli aka Razor,
While our regional peers are putting their houses in order and making gigantic strides,Kenya risks sinking deeper into the sporting abyss if reported simmering rows playing meekly below the surface are anything to go by.The biblical devil is in the details yet again.
Next door neighbours Sudan,Ethiopia,Uganda,Zambia et al are all slugging it out with the big boys of Africa,trying to earn a seat at the table of men.Rwanda are only missing out courtesy of a ‘school-boy’ oversight that saw them chucked overboard by CAF.In Kenya meanwhile we have a new man at the helm of Harambee Stars.Bobby Williamson is the new coach,or is he?
NOT SO FAST,HOLD YOUR HORSES
When the FKF hired Adel Amrouche to handle the national team,little did they know their nightmare had only just began.Initially,like any other marriage,the honeymoon was all pomp and glamour.Contracts were signed and the marriage got underway.When the federation got fed up with the union and wanted out,in their typical fashion,Amrouche was having none of it.
He could not just be swatted away like a gadfly,he thought.Well they ‘fired’ him after CAF handed him a lengthy ban,but his contract is reportedly still very much in force.
Ever the sly operator,Adel Amrouche endeared himself to the highest office in the land,the presidency.During a group visit to the State House at the height of the team’s top achievements,the crafty Belgian sprouted deep roots at the heart of power that the FKF top hierarchy has since struggled to uproot.
He lay bare his frustrations,warmed his way to the powers that be and was believably put on a state payroll,independent of the machinations and manipulations of the federation.Besides,he enjoys accomodation and other perks courtesy of government.
These privileges have somewhat made him a virtual untouchable,independent of the FKF who are dying to see his back.
In hindsight,if contracts are binding documents and are regarded with the high esteem they deserve,Adel Amrouche is in essence still the head coach of the Harambee Stars.It explains why he is still in the country enjoying state sympathy long after he was shown the door.
However the FKF,many a time referred to as the ‘theatre of the absurd’,insists Adel is past,Bobby Williamson is present.Just for the record,is Bobby on written contract or is he operating on a ‘gentleman’s agreement’?These two scenarios have left the country in a quandary.
OSTRICH HEAD IN SAND
It may not play out in the open at the moment since the national team is not engaged in any meaningful competition,but sooner rather than later the federation will have to put the record straight.
The country is eager to forget the past,let go of lost opportunities and forge ahead,but not before this puzzle is solved.In appointing Bobby,the top honchos merely swept the dust under the carpet.
His predecessor has stubbornly refused to die,at least not before proper channels are followed.Problem is,the FKF is allergic to doing things the proper way.They suffer from a chronic syndrome only they can cure.
Amrouche has strong state networks and legal back-up which scare his detractors to the bone.The country is at a loss and is not sure what new turn this twist will take.
One thing is for sure though;by the time this matter is done and dusted,someone will come out with a bloody nose.
