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.”
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.
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) June 23, 2019
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.
Hatuna uwezo
Hatuna nguvu
Sisi ni wanyonge
We kif up!— @jkochei (@jkochei_) June 23, 2019
Baba sema ukweli. Tulicheza ufala first half
— Igna Mireji (@Igna_mireji) June 23, 2019
Naked truth!
— Paul Busakha~pepe (@Busakhapaul) June 24, 2019
We need a holiday tomorrow. We're hurt to go to work tomorrow staying up past midnight being patriots.
Is it too much to ask for @RailaOdinga— Tianah Destiny (@TianahDestiny) June 23, 2019
Nooo usiwadanganye not any more,with what i saw yesterday 😂😂😂😂😂 tell em to pack.
— harvey opembe 🇰🇪 (@harvey_opembe) June 24, 2019
Wacha kudanganya hawa watoto baba, its a meagre result, & if we continue that way, rather you book for them the soonest flight home,,
— horinsky (@horinsky1) June 23, 2019
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.