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The Nairobian

AFCON: Harambee Stars players savour their moment after Ethiopia win

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Oct 18, 2018

Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne instructs Victor Mugabe Wanyama during their AFCON 2019 qualifier match at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, Kenya on October 14, 2018. Kenya won 3-0. Photo/www.sportpicha.com

For over a decade, this generation of Harambee Stars players has had to live in the shadow of the squad that represented Kenya in what was the country’s last African Nations Cup finals in 2004 in Tunisia.

Though this team has a lot more yesterdays than tomorrows, the fever dream of ending a 14-year absence on the biggest African football tournament is slowly, but surely becoming a reality.

However, the truth of the matter is, they are not doing this for themselves, but their AFCON-starved fans and future generations.

Stars were at their pragmatic best last Sunday with Sweden-based winger Eric Johanna stealing the show as Kenya nullified the Ethiopians’ attack thrashing them 3-0 to keep their qualification hopes firmly on track.

Fifteen years ago, the likes of Johanna were among the kids who watched from televisions as Dennis Oliech propelled Kenya to AFCON finals in Tunisia.

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But now, he is one of the men with the responsibility of inspiring Kenya back to the continental showpiece.

And on Sunday, one could clearly see the excitement in the players’ faces as they did a lap of honour at a fully packed 60,000-seater Kasarani Stadium, thanking their fans for pushing them to a potentially decisive qualifying victory.

Michael Olunga opened the scoring with a stunning curler followed by Johanna’s screamer before captain Victor Wanyama sealed the win from spot.

It was a special moment to savour for both the players and fans inside an electric Kasarani atmosphere after the team went three points clear at the top of the group.

But even as they patiently wait for the verdict of the indefinitely suspended Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone FA was banned by Fifa due to government interference), Stars captain and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder believes the team can start dreaming of Afcon return.

“It’s an unbelievable performance and everybody was focused today. Looking at the crowd, it was impossible to come and not take the maximum points,” said Wanyama.

“I’m just coming from an injury, but this is our time and I had to give everything to ensure we win. If we continue having this kind of crowd, we can beat anyone.”

Johanna was equally proud of the way they performed.

“We didn’t want to disappoint our fans. The important thing is to remain focused and not thinking of the Sierra Leone’s issue.

Mentally, we are prepared to play Sierra Leone in what will be like a final match for us,” said the IF Brommapojkarna attacker.