Kenyans take on Chelsea Victory

By Standard Digital Reporter

Kenyans debated the Chelsea’s football victory across the country with pundits fans staying late in the night to witness another dramatic finale in which the London club cruised to its first European glory in 107 years.

Residents of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Busia watched from big screens, others from the comfort of their living rooms but some had challenges as power outages ruined their football entertainment.

Chelsea out-gunned Bayern Munich before their home crowd 3-4 in penalty shoot outs with Didier Drogba tormenting German fans. The match climaxed into drama when on 83rd minute Thomas Muller headed brilliantly from inside the box and Bayern looked set for home victory.

But typical Chelsea arguably comeback kings of Europe repeated history like they did against Barcelona at Nou Campaand Napoli at Stamford Bridge. Drogba leaped and bulleted a header with two minutes left on the clock to send the game to extra time.

The game ended 1-1 and penalty shootouts had to decide the winner and Chelsea it was.

Sports journalists in Africa like their counterparts in Europe were caught off guard with wrong predictions that Bayern would enjoy home ground advantage and lift trophy against a Chelsea side depleted especially in the defence and missing their crucial players.

On paper majority of Kenyan sports journalists got it wrong as did fans too.

Fans debate

But it was the debate among fans that was interesting. Chelsea which does enjoy as many fans in Kenya compared to premiership sides like Manchester United and Arsenal had a few blue jerseys dotting clubs in Nairobi and environs.

“I do not want Chelsea to win because they will have lifted the cup ahead of Arsenal, but at least they have saved the face premiership,” said Cyrus Ombati an ardent Arsenal fan.

Opis Aol watching from Ugenya said President Kibaki lifted the trophy in Nairobi during the tour and would have been pleased if Africans playing in the finals emerged victorious.

“Chelsea is hated and loved by many. It joins the ranks of the few European teams that have fielded three Africans in the starting line-ups of a final-Obi Mikel, Drogba and Kalou and this sends messages to teams like Manchester United to start looking up to Africa for talent,” Opis added.

Evelyn Akoth, a Real Madrid fan was puzzled, “A sixth placed Chelsea in Premier league had to win to make it to Champions League next season. Penalties are a lottery and anybody can win.”

Francis Ngige a Chelsea fan was elated: “whichever way you look at it there is only one King of football in Europe and Chelsea it is.”

Mwaniki an accountant who was rooting for Bayern was disappointed that the best team lost in the finals.  “Football is a crazy game. You win when you least expect it and lose when you have everything in your favour. Arjen Robben a former Chelsea player squandered the penalty.”

Supersport TV blended the game with views across the African continent and pitched tent with the family of Obi Mikel bring out the emotions of his father live during the preview and post match.

Soccer standards

But Kenyans were more concerned that they would want to see standards of soccer in the country improve and its local clubs scaling ranks of victory. They similarly rooted for maturity among fans to shun violence in matches.

Robin Toskin a sports analyst and writer said it is time Kenya invested in serious football academies to tap into talent and sell players to the big time European clubs.

“We should treat football as major intervention in rolling back poverty which stands at 46 percent today in Kenya, and as a business which creates employment,” Toskin said.