Netizens call for Harambee Stars coach 'Ghost' Mulee's sacking after dismal performances

Harambee Stars and Comoros players during Group G match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Kasarani stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Some sports lovers on social media have called for the sacking of Harambee Stars coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee following the team's awful performance in the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Harambee Stars failed to make good on their promise to go all out and win the return leg of their fixture with Comoros as they were defeated 2-1 in Moroni on Sunday.

The defeat complicated Kenya’s back-to-back AFCON qualification chances after being frustrated to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Comoros in Nairobi last Wednesday, November 11, followed by a 2-1 loss in Moroni on Sunday, November 15.

The loss now ranks Kenya third in Group G with three points.

Egypt and Comoros are tied on 8 points, but the Pharaos lead the group by a superior goal difference.

Before Sunday’s game, a lot of Kenyan football fans did not regard Comoros as a threat, considering it is a country with a population of 830,000 and is ranked 132nd in the latest FIFA World Rankings.  Kenya is ranked 103.

Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee being unveiled as Harambee Stars head coach by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa after signing a three-year deal at Safari Park hotel on October 21, 2020. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya's downhill spiral in Moroni began in the 23rd minute when an unmarked El Fardou bounced a header past Kenyan keeper Arnold Origi.

Cliff Nyakeya struck a low shot to equalise for Harambee Stars but the hosts regained the lead when Mattoir Faiz latched onto the pass on the right channel, before unleashing a powerful shot past unlucky Origi -leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of millions of Kenyans.

Speaking after landing back in the country with the team from Comoros on Monday, Mulee remained hopeful that Kenya can still win all their remaining 2021 AFCON qualifying matches, which would bring the team to nine points.

"For now, the situation does not look good for us. We know we have no choice but to win away to Togo and beat Egypt at home. Those are two difficult matches but in football, we say it's not over until it's over," Mulee told reporters when the team touched down in Nairobi from Moroni.

"We still have hope that we can play for the three points and finish on nine points to qualify. We are heading to Lome in March before hosting Egypt at home. They are difficult games but it does not mean we can't play for the points," he added.

Many Kenyan fans were angry after the defeat, most suggesting it was time for Mulee to exit the national team and return to the studio to host his popular morning radio show.

Most fans were not impressed with Ghost's lineups and tactical decisions, accusing him of experimenting with the team as evidenced by the changes he made in the game.

 

Some fans concluded that Mulee was introducing foreign-based players who were not familiar with how Africans play football, in particular, his preference for seasoned Arnold Origi, who was playing for Kenya for the first time in five years.

For some football fans who love betting, an outright win for Kenya was the preferred choice. However, this was not meant to be.

Here is a sample of the post-match reaction after Harambee Stars’ defeat;

@UKenyatta My President... To send your agenda home,,,sack this Minister of Sports... Replace him with Ghost Mulee.. Don't entertain someone who doesn't understand their work. — @NelsonMartine (@NelsonMartine4) May 15, 2018

 

Ghost Mulee should do the honourable thing and sack himself! ???? — Moses Moses (@MuthaNyagah) November 15, 2020

Ghost Mulee and his friend Arnold Origi , should NEVER be seen anywhere playing/ holding or handling anything like a BALL.....
Stay warned.... — Terry Grace Kambaga (@GKambaga) November 16, 2020

Ghost Mulee should be taken back to morning laughing competitions.
Nick Mwendwa should be sent packing by the power of the people's act. — Aliwa Mirugah (@BroderickAliwa) November 15, 2020

Mulee out or you'll keep tweeting this for the rest of his contract.... pic.twitter.com/avxOtdQLyg — Joe Mburu (@JoeMburu12) November 15, 2020

I hope i will wake up tomorrow to the news that Ghost Mulee patanisho is fired. Nick Mwendwa aache mchezo. — Chepe Jackson???????? (@ChepeJackson) November 15, 2020

One fan claimed on Facebook: Harambee Patanisho stars should be Disbanded: Of all the Countries, how can Comoros defeat Harambee stars twice!

While another added: This team belongs to Kenyans, we expect good results. Go to grassroots and recruit players who are talanted. 

Another fan said on Facebook: Selection of team players us based on tribalism. They don't select from grassroots. See now the performance.

Another said: I am disappointed, rather be beaten by a country like Togo or Egypt who have played AFCON before but Comoros really, what a shame!

Another reacted: Ghost Mulee arudi patanisho.....simple

Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee’s boys now have a huge mountain to climb as they must beat Egypt (March 22 2021) and Togo (March 30 21) as well pray their opponents drop points for them to qualify for the finals.

Kenya’s current position in Group G-3rd (Three points)

Remaining fixtures

Kenya v Egypt-March 22 2021 (Nairobi)

Togo v Kenya-March 30 2021 (Lome)