Appreciate Kenyan team’s successes

Harambee Stars’ sudden rise in the Fifa rankings must have come as a pleasant surprise to sports fans who have been inundated with reports of endemic malfeasance and mismanagement of the national federation that manages our beautiful game.

A jump of two places — from 101 to 99 — may not mean much to many football lovers but after so much bad news revolving around the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), we must appreciate the little successes that come our way.

Fifa, which manages the sport globally, releases periodic listings of team rankings and the improvement in the national team’s performance takes special significance when it emerges that Harambee Stars has not been involved in on-the-field action since the regional Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) tournament in Ethiopia last year.

News of the improved rankings could very well be a signal that we are ready to start on a new slate in 2016 — FKF is just about to hold its elections, and hopefully usher in a team that can clean up the sport.

Wednesday’s elections will come on the back of reports on corruption and a growing list of grievances among players who turn out for the national team and clubs in the Kenya Premier League. We expect those elected to always put the interest of players and the game, first. With decent treatment, success on the field should quickly follow.