AFCON: Harambee Stars’ time to shine has come

Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne and captain Victor Wanyama address the media during the official AFCON press conference on June 22, 2019. [Photo: Stafford Ondego]

After days of preparation, incessant prayers, and endless fasting, to the religious ones, it is finally here; the Africa Cup of Nations.

After 15 years of expectancy and painful labour, Kenya’s Harambee Stars are reborn anew. It has been long coming for the national team.

In the 15-year wait, young ones have been born in their millions, marriage vows shared and others broken; and Ovella Ochieng, the Stars’ pacy winger and youngest player in Kenya’s squad in Egypt, was yet to turn five years. It has been that long.

The national team might be missing what others would consider as big names, but hey, isn’t that not what makes football remain as world’s best sport? What with the endless talking points…

Head coach Sebastien Migne’s arrival in March 2018 heralded a new beginning for the national team. Their campaign, as had been the custom with previous missed chances, was threatened, yet again.

But the final whistle of that convincing 3-0 victory over visiting Ethiopia at Kasarani on October 14, 2018 heralded a new dawn for Harambee Stars.

The disappointments had been countless; pains unforgettable and tears never ran dry.

Migne has no doubt restored Kenya’s strut and from tonight 11pm, the team, which is dotted with some enviable individual brilliance, will be expected to express themselves, this time, as a well-oiled playing machine.

And they are working towards gelling into a formidable unit, no doubt.

In their kickabouts during one of their training sessions here, the brotherhood was evident.

Striker Michael Olunga picked up a loose ball, placed a hard shot in an open space and Ayub Timbe connected with a smile as he dashed to join Francis Kahata, Johanna Omollo and Ovella Ochieng on the other end of the field. Bromance at its best.

But whether this concord will survive the test of time depends on Harambee Stars’s mind of frame when they play Algeria, aka The Desert Foxes tonight and their other two group matches (on Thursday against Tanzania and July 1 against Senegal).

Led by Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez, the Algerians promise to be a mouthful for Stars. 

Their star has already fired the first salvo; “There will be no excuses against Kenya. Yes, it will be a difficult match, but we had good preparations in Qatar,” said the Manchester City man.

This not being a village football tournament, Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama knows what is expected of them as they seek to parade their best for the continent to partake.

“We know Algeria is a good side but we are ready to show them that we can also give them good opposition,” said Wanyama.