Trophy Hunt in top gear

By Tony Ngare

In the last couple of weeks, Chelsea appeared to be running out of steam. They posted poor results culminating into the manager's dismissal.

But we got to give it for Roberto Di Matteo, regarded as inferior to his predecessor Andre Villa Boas, he has chaperoned Chelsea’s aged squad to surprising heights in a span of weeks. Perhaps the players know he doesn’t have too much time before he can convince the club owner that he fits the bill.

Turnaround

On Tuesday against Benfica in Portugal, I would have bet that Chelsea would lose by at least two goals. I’m now glad the Chelsea fool did not take up my offer, I would be Sh2,000 poorer. The team has surprised both friend and foe by turning around a virtually dead season into something worth living for.

With the solitary goal win, Chelsea can claim to have one foot into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. However, it would do them some good to study history. They will realise that Benfica is no pushover. The team has frustrated both Arsenal and Manchester United before. But before I sound like I’m pouring cold water on the Blues chances, I wish them well so that at least we can stand to have a bitter rematch against Barcelona.

Real deal

Watching Real Madrid play Apoel Nicosia, I was wondering whether the game was going to throw us another surprise. If you are an optimist like some of us then it was surprising that Apoel, the first Cypriot side to reach the last 16 of Europe’s premier club competition, defended solidly to frustrate their Spanish opponents until the last 15 minutes. The floodgates opened soon after and the nine time winners barring a catastrophe are in the semi-finals courtesy of the three away goals.

Giants clash

When the draw was done Barcelona vs AC Milan match was undoubtedly the mouth watering clash. However, on Wednesday, this tie turned out to be one of the most one sided Champions league quarterfinal matches. To think that AC Milan — five times champions — could suffer such inferiority complex to the extent of parking the bus the entire 90 minutes is simply unthinkable.

They will call it tactics but a closer look will show you that having soaked three against Arsenal, their primary goal was damage limitation then goals later. If they could not trust the home support to carry them through, pray, what tactics do they expect to use in Nou Camp, a stadium that will have close to 90,0000 fans most of them baying for the Italian blood.

They say winning is everything but there are more honourable ways of getting results than giving Bolton and Blackburn a run for their money.

Bayern Munich had no such problems however, dismissing Olympique Marseille 2-0. The two away goals, barring an Arsenal-like resurrection should be enough to see them through to the semi-finals. Bayern’s dream of playing in the final in — Allianz Arena — their own backyard remains alive and on course.

Big moment with Big Ears

Kenya is a football mad nation which is why it is maddening that our local football remains mired in petty politics and allowance ‘skirmishes’. We have the potential to be a great football nation but until we put our house of Babylon in order we shall continue speaking in tongues.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. In the past Kenyan football fanatics have had an up, close and candid moment with English Premier League Barclaycard and Fifa World Cup during the respective trophies tours in the region. Now it’s time to play host the biggest and most prestigious club football silverware — The UEFA Champions League courtesy of global beer brand Heineken.

The trophy first landed at Harambee House fresh from Mexico, where President Kibaki was the first East African to officially pose with it. Of course the trappings of being a Commander in Chief allowed the President to touch it an honours only reserved to winners and heads of States.

The trophy, then boarded a chartered flight to Moshi where yours truly alongside a couple of other Kenyan journalists got our moment of fame with the 7.5kg cup.

They don’t call it Big Ears for nothing. When you are barely a metre away from the trophy the feeling is palpable. When Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard confessed he had slept with it tightly tucked in his bed after winning in Istanbul, I laughed it off. But here I was, two metres away from the priceless memento. As an avid Arsenal fan, I was glad that I had beaten Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger to it. I actually contemplated making a mad dash for it and have it sent to Emirates Stadium on DHL but sanity prevailed and like a true Arsenal fan I can only hope we get it next season.

Heineken has been associated with the UEFA Champions League since the 2005/06 season and reports indicate they will remain one of the principal sponsors of the tournament through to 2014/15. This is the sixth UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken but the first ever truly global one.

The trophy jetted from Mombasa yesterday as the organisers gets ready for the consumer-viewing event at Nairobi’s Carnivore tomorrow. Already football legends Heineken ambassador, Ruud Gullit and UEFA ambassador, Celestine Babayaro are in Nairobi for the big occasion tomorrow.

According to organisers a specially designed premium-viewing zone has been set aside where consumers and football fans will take photos of the trophy as well as have the opportunity to live football experiences through the different activities that Heineken will be present.

According to Heineken East Africa General Manager Koen Morshuis, Heineken has given away 5,000 tickets to loyal consumers in Kenya through pubs and supermarket activations, radio promotions and on online platforms. He insists that, for safety reasons, only fans with tickets will be allowed in at Carnivore Grounds to savour the moment with the trophy.