Sam Nyamweya blasts FKF following Harambee Stars loss to lowly South Sudan
Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Sam Nyamweya says the dwindling state of football in the country can be arrested by a change in management.
His sentiments on September 12, 2023, on the day Harambee Stars surprisingly lost by a solitary goal to South Sudan in an international friendly staged at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi.
Kenya Police striker Tito Okello scored the lone goal in the second minute of the contest following a defensive error by team Kenya comprising France based defender Joseph Okumu.
Despite getting many goal scoring opportunities more so in the second half, Kenyan strikers failed to convert to salvage even a draw. Michael Olunga, the team captain, was the main curlprit.
The Al Duhail forward fluffed a clear cut chance with only the goalkeeper to beat midway through the second half of the match.
The defeat came days after Kenya shocked 2022 World Cup host Qatar 2-1 in Doha in another international friendly.
That result had football fans in the country, including President William Ruto, hopeful that Kenya would coast to victory against lowly South Sudan.
“Kenya’s problems can only be solved with a new administration coming in to take charge of the game. The (current) office led by Nick Mwendwa has clearly shown they have failed to deliver, and they don’t have the trust of Kenyans to be in charge,” opined Nyamweya in a terse press statement.
The veteran football administrator further castigated coach Engin Firat for leaving out Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards players from his squad.
Nyamweya said Gor Mahia and Leopards are an integral part of Kenyan football history and have always produced good players both locally and at the international level.
Firat had earlier explained he left Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards anfd Tusker players from his squad as they are not fit.
These three are the biggest and most popular teams in the country.
Nyamweya further questioned the criteria FKF used to give Firat, 53, the Harambee Stars job yet he continues to post unimpressive results.
“Even when I was at the helm of FKF, I never lost a game to South Sudan; it is a pity that any team now in the East African region can confidently beat Kenya,” said Nyamweya, who was at the helm of FKF between 2011 and 2016.
“How on earth can a national team lack players from Gor and AFC?,” posed Nyamweya.
“I want to urge the Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to clean the mess that is Kenyan football. It is time to send (FKF president) Nick Mwendwa and his regime packing,” he said.
After the two friendlies, Harambee Stars next contest will be the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers matches which kicks off in November.
Harambee Stars are in Group F together with Seychelles, Burundi, Gambia, Gabon, and Côte d’Ivoire.
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