When the final whistle blew to signal the end of the Nairobi City Stars versus Kakamega Homeboyz match at Kasarani on Sunday, it also signified the end of the road for Stars.
After eight years of top flight football, the Kawangware side have no more part to play in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) after the 3-1 loss against Kawangware condemned them to the dreaded relegation zone.
And one man has been hurting endlessly since then; former international Dennis ‘Wise’ Okoth.
Okoth was with the team, previously World Hope, as a player when it was promoted to the KPL in 2008. Therefore, his pain is understandable. He is now their assistant coach.
Sunday’s loss hit Okoth right in the bullseye. It seemed like a nightmare, but there it was; they were done. Outclassed. Outplayed. Outmaneuvered. Their eight years of utter delight, reduced to something else in 90 minutes of cruel football.
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Having flirted with relegation for the past five seasons, football gods somehow came to their rescue in those instances. Theirs was a game of luck. But when bad luck chooses you for a companion, even a ripe banana can remove your teeth. City Stars had run out of their luck and the football gods looked the other way. They also seemed tired of the constant favours.
The Kawangware-based outfit face-off Ushuru, who are still in a relegation dog fight with 15th placed Sofapaka, on Friday, before wrapping up their rollercoaster ride with a clash against Sony Sugar on November 19.
“Generally, it has been a bad season. I thought we had learnt from our past mistakes and expected the team to do things differently, but we didn’t. Remember, last year we survived relegation on the final day of the season. Unfortunately, we couldn’t repeat that feat this year,” Okoth told Feverpitch.
“If we could have learnt from our mistakes, maybe we could have done things differently. All in all, some teams will be relegated and others will be promoted. And, that’s football.
“I played for City Stars (World Hope) in 2008 when we were promoted. I was with this team when we survived relegation last year. This year, I am here and we are being relegated. It’s a painful feeling, but that’s part of football and as a young coach, I think I am also growing. I don’t regret anything. I still know there is a better tomorrow. If such things don’t happen, how will I grow?”
The team has been hit with financial crisis, collapse in confidence, as well as departure of key players and this could have played a part in their relegation. Given their current state of affairs, the former Gor Mahia midfielder expects a mass exodus at the end of the season.
“Losing players has been happening and we don’t fear that. Of course, those individuals, who had a good season will be signed by other clubs and here at City Stars, we wish them well,” said Okoth.
“But frankly, losing key players each year has really affected our stability. Given such situation, you can’t expect us to be at the top. Last season, we lost Ebrima (Sanneh), this year, Yusuf (Suf) and Mawira (Joshua) left. Our job has always been to nurture talent.
“We have been building, while others remain stable. But I understand why they always leave; all because of money.
“There is always life after City Stars and even after relegation. We will go back to the drawing board and see what is next,” added Okoth.
