Fear nobody, legends call on Stars ahead of today's AFCON tie

Harambee Stars team [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Surviving players of Harambee Stars class of ‘72 led by captain of Kenya’s team to her first ever Africa Cup of Nations, John Nyawanga, have sent goodwill messages ahead of tonight’s clash with Algeria.

Harambee Stars take on the Algerian Fennecs at 11pm in their sixth campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo.

Standard Sports caught up with four of the five surviving members of the Kenyan stars at AFCON 1972 staged in Cameroon, and the octogenarians had nothing but praise for the current crop of Harambee Stars players.

The five that Standard Sports established are still alive are captain Nyawanga, who played for Kenya Breweries, vice-captain and Gor Mahia legend Allan Thigo, Joram Roy (Bata Bullets), Maurice ‘Ogwanjo’ Ouma (Gor Mahia) and Stephen Yongo (Gor Mahia).

“I give them flowers, we love them and we are proud of them for following in our footsteps and they should not fear anybody,” Nyawanga said.

The former Kenyan left winger added: “It is all about self-belief because it is one ball and 90 minutes that count. Our players should know they are at the Nations Cup by right and therefore should not pre-occupy themselves with the line ups of their opponents.”

Roy, 68, and whose left knee no longer bends due to the vagaries of playing the game also wished Harambee Stars a good outing.

“This is a moment of pride. It is not easy for Kenya to qualify to Africa Cup of Nations because of lack of proper investment in the sport. We did it the hard way and it is a pity that continues to date,” Roy said adding that, “This is why the boys must put themselves on the back for making it to Egypt and from there, let them enjoy every game, every moment in Cairo,” Roy said on phone from his home in Navokholo, Kakamega County.

Thigo, who was inducted and feted with the SOYA Hall of Fame award last year for his contribution said qualifying for the Africa Nations Cup is an achievement.

“We endured difficult conditions to qualify for Cameroon ‘72. We went there without training kit, each one of us donning his respective club jerseys. We were the laughing stock but we believed in ourselves and played for the flag,” Thigo said.

Martin “Ogwanjo” Ouma said: “We wish them the best of luck. We love them and let them do it for the flag.”