Where have good strikers gone? Harambee Stars coach laments lack of goals

AFC's Kepha Aswani protest a decision by the referee in their matc against Mumbi Nationale FC during GoTV Tournament at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, June 24, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Every year, goals keep dwindling, much to the chagrin of tacticians.

In his heyday, he scored goals with pleasure.

He was fast, agile, and focused. Anytime former Tusker and Harambee Stars striker Boniface Ambani controlled the ball and began his charge, defenders had every reason to worry.

His was a well-calculated strike. At some point, Ambani was scoring for fun and he loved it. Ambani holds the record for the highest number of goals scored in a season, 27. To date, no striker in the Kenyan Premier League has managed to rewrite the history books.

“The calibre of forwards we have today is wanting. They don’t have the urge to push themselves beyond what they are offered in training. They are simply pathetic,” Ambani said.

“We have a bunch of strikers who are more obsessed with social media than working on the pitch. They lack ambition and are easily satisfied after scoring a goal.

“Coaches also need to focus more on helping strikers to improve the situation,” said the former Harambee Stars striker. Ambani added that it was wrong that foreign players are doing better than the local ones in this department and urged them to work harder.

Granted, some pretenders have come along. Some have threatened to challenge Ambani’s record, while others have fallen flat face. Zero output.

In 2015, former Gor Mahia striker Michael Olunga scored 19 goals to top the charts that season. Last year, John Makwatta, who was then playing for Ulinzi Stars, managed 15 goals. This year, Gor Mahia’s Jacques Tuyisenge and Kepha Aswani are tied at 12 each, with four rounds of matches to the end of the season.

The dearth of goals has, unfortunately, been transferred to the national team, Harambee Stars, and rightfully so, Stars head coach Stanley Okumbi has every reason to worry.

According to Mathare United coach Francis Kimanzi, the lack of goals in KPL is a big concern.

Kimanzi blamed several factors for the situation, pointing out poor officiating, lack of focus, and outdated coaching skills.

“Some of our strikers don’t deserve the goals they have scored mostly due to poor officiating when they are awarded dubious penalties and goals. They don’t work for it, hence they become complacent,” he said.

Elsewhere, Kakamega Homeboyz defeated Muhoroni Youth 3-0 in yesterday’s Kenyan Premier League match in Muhoroni. Wycliffe Opondo, Jeremiah Wanjala, and Francis Ocholla scored a goal each to compound Muhoroni’s survival hopes.

In Narok, Western Stima continued with their survival campaign with a 3-1 victory over Sofapaka as Thika United drew 1-1 against Mathare United in a relegation zone battle in Thika. Bandari beat Nakumatt 1-0 at Ruaraka.

[Adds Rodgers Eshitemi]