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The Nairobian

How is it possible? Kenyans struggling to come to terms with Wanga omission from Harambee Stars’ squad

Football

By Brian Murumba | May 31, 2019

After years of football barrenness and management instability in the country, Kenyans can now dream after Harambee Stars qualified for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals set to be held in Egypt next month.

The country’s football governing body FKF and Kenyans at large now have their eyes and hopes set on one man - Sabastian Migne. He led the team through a brilliant qualification run that saw a great win against the Black Stars of Ghana in Nairobi last year.

He now carries the country’s hopes at the continental tournament and Kenyans have no reason to hate him just yet.

“But why is he making decisions contrary to our expectations?” That is the question Kenyans could be asking themselves after a series of shocking calls made by the manager in recent times.

For the time he has been in the Harambee Stars’ dugout, he has defied the expectations of Kenyans by going against their views. First, it was the omission of Jesse Were, a Zesco United star with lots of experience and goal-scoring prowess.

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While Kenyans were trying to heal and move on from that, another experienced top scorer in Allan Wanga was left out of the AFCON squad that is set to travel to France for preparations.

The evergreen forward has had a standout season with Kakamega Homeboyz finishing top of the KPL’s goal-scoring charts with 17 goals but despite that, young Sweden based Chris Mbamba has been preferred to the former AFC Leopards forward with the coach citing commitment and fitness issues.

But how is it possible to sacrifice an experienced forward for an unknown young player especially in a high profile tournament like AFCON?

If Migne makes Kenya’s dream come true, he will receive a hero’s welcome back home when he returns from Egypt. But if this social media Uproar is anything to go by, then he better be right on leaving the League’s top scorer out for a young and inexperienced player.

Game Yetu went through social media and came up with some posts that indicate just how Kenyans will be infuriated if he fails to deliver.?

Just had a look at the provisional #HarambeeStars squad travelling to France for the camp. What is Sebastien Migne on? First leaving out one of the top stikers in the Zambian League Jesse Were and now leaving out the top striker in the KPL (and super experienced) Allan Wanga? ????????‍?? — Mukami Wambora (@MukamiWambora) May 30, 2019

Oh yeah have a look.
Our league's top scorer has been dropped. Wau. #AFCON2019 #HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/gOTJOHKy5z — Carolle (@KamandaCarolle) May 30, 2019

Hii upuzi ya Sebastian migne imetosha. Nick mwendwa is misleading the old man for no reason.... From rooting for all sharkers, to dropping allan wanga and oliech, leaving out hitman 'kip'.. This harambee stars squad is as poor as it can be... I am heartful... #harambeestars — Elijah Okemwa (@elijah1334) May 30, 2019

Allan Wanga, our top scorer, our experienced striker has been left out of #HarambeeStars squad for Afcon. Our football is less about stats and performance and more about who is preferred by those at the top #stopthesethieves — oteraw (@oteroh) May 30, 2019

#AllanWanga being left out of #HarambeeStars squad to France camp is disappointing. We loosing it already due to inexperience pic.twitter.com/MaJr4d3Ndj — IG :Benjah_myra (@MuyaleBenjamin) May 30, 2019

Top flight Luhya players Allan Wanga, AFC's Whyvonne Isuza & Sharks' Brian Bwire dropped from the #HarambeeStars AFCON squad.... Who doesn't this is not just football,..... Politics, tribalism and favourism.... Okay let's see how far the stars can get! — Mukabana (@MukabanaJoe) May 30, 2019

5 Kenyan Premier League sides have conceded fewer goals than Kariobangi Sharks yet Sebastien Migne has decided to include two of their goalkeepers into the #HarambeeStars AFCON squad. Someone please help me understand this logic. — Mukami Wambora (@MukamiWambora) May 14, 2019

Migne has picked Masud Juma and Ovella Ochieng bcoz they are former #KariobangiSharks players. That’s just the reality. @Nmwendwa has influenced this selection because of his close association with Kariobangi Sharks. That why we even had 2 GKs from that same team. #HarambeeStars — WAIHARO SIMON™ (@WAIHARO2) May 30, 2019