How did it all go wrong for Harambee Stars?

Harambee Stars Richard Odada (left) and Hamari Traore of Mali during 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers return match at the Nyayo National stadium. Oct 10, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

It is often said that the great always cast a shadow even in their absence, but given how Harambee Stars performed in the last two 2022 World Cup qualifying matches against Mali, it surely left emptiness that will take a while to fill.

Kenya’s dreams of playing in their first ever Fifa World Cup finals went up in smoke after Mali emerged 1-0 winners in the return leg of the Group E qualifiers played in Nairobi on Sunday. This is following Harambee Stars’ 5-0 defeat at the hands of Mali last Thursday.