Kenyans remain inconsolable after a humiliating defeat to Algeria

Kenyans have expressed their frustrations after what may be termed as a shambolic display in the match between Harambee Stars and Algeria where the latter got an easy 2-0 victory on Sunday.

The Sunday match was a highly anticipated one as Harambee Stars were featuring in the tournament for the first time after 15 years, with the last time being in 2004 where Kenya were bundled out in the group stages.

Also, the match against Algeria was a real reminder to Kenyans on their June 1996 contest when the national team met with the North African team in a 1998 pre-World Cup qualifier played at the Nyayo National Stadium in front of a 30,000 strong crowd.

Harambee stars did the unexpected when they thrashed the Desert Warriors 3-1. By then, Algeria were ranked 46 globally while Kenya were at the 104th position. What an unbelievable mismatch!

And Kenyans were hoping for the repeat of the same this past Sunday. Unfortunately, Harambee Stars succumbed to a humiliating defeat to the Desert Warriors who dominated the larger part of the match.

Algeria took advantage of Kenya, who got stage fright, and scored quick goals; in the 34th minute through a penalty by Baghdad Bounedjah before Riyard Mahrez closed the score with a stunner in the 43rd minute.

But Kenyans seems to have lost confidence in their national team and no amount of consolation seems to convince them that things may turn around in the coming matches.

In a bid to cheer up the Kenyan team, the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga posted an encouraging message on his Twitter handle stating that, “After a 15 year absence from the tournament you played your hearts out but didn’t get a favorable result. Keep your heads up and keep going, kuteleza sio kuanguka. The whole nation is still rooting for you #HarambeeStars all the best in the rest of your #AFCON2019 fixtures.”

However, Kenyan fans did not receive the message warmly as they criticised the former Premier for the ‘false hope’ he is giving Kenyans. Some even called for the national team to stop wasting time in Egypt.

Kenya will head to their second match on Thursday against Tanzania 27 June before finishing their group stage matches on Monday 1 July against Senegal.

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