For those who Missed Kenya v Uganda

The last time i was inside the Nyayo National Stadium was in 1998, when AFC Leopards was playing with Mumias Sugar…needless to add that i was an ardent Ingwe-AFC Leopards fan.I guess since then ive never had either the time and or  enough motivation to pay the place a visit.But 9th October 2010 gave me all the reasons pay the stadium a visit.

From where i sat

The match was between Kenya’s Harambee Stars versus Ugandan Cranes,an East African Derby as many would have it.The love hate relationship between these two neighbouring countries is not divorced to their soccer relations,and each country is always eager to prove to the other whose the boss when an opportunity presents itself.

Soccer enthusiasts had flocked the stadium from as early as 9 am.Actually i even found it hard to concentrate on my work in the office,which is a few meters away from the stadium,because of the noise generated by the fans.Finally when i could not help it anymore i headed to the stadium with a colleague.I made sure i bought a kenyan flag as a sign of patriotism and the long queues outside the stadium couldn’t discourage me.

While on the queue i had a GSU officer saying that that queue was reserved for Ugandans,i could not imagine myself joining another queue.I had to be creative i folded my kenyan flag and kept it in my pocket and began talking in that heavy Baganda accent and it did the trick,i was inside the stadium faster than you can say Usain Bolt.I was seated directly opposite the VIP terrace.I think the terrace is called Russia,atleast as par the last time i checked.Here you’ll find all manner of characters you can conjure up in your mind.Once you are there,as most of our kenyan politicians will tell you,you either shape up or ship out.

No sooner had i sat down than the bellows of smoke from bhang engulfed the entire atmosphere.When i tried to tell the culprits to go slow on the marijuana, i was told “kama unataka starehe si ungelipia VIP” (if you wanted comfort you should have paid for the VIP.This was my cue to shut up and comform lest i suffer the wrath of intoxicated and overly frustrated harambee stars fans.The stadium was packed to capacity so shifting positions was not an option.So to survive i formed convenient friendships with my fellow fans plus i was planning to tweet all through the match (because it was not being televised) , so hey i needed friendly people around.

Well the match didn’t live up to its expectations,save for some few sparks of individual brilliance from the usual

Oliech Appreciating talent

suspects,Mariga,Oliech,Blackberry and Sunday.Infact if you ask me the side shows were more interesting than the match.

There was drama all the way from the City centre to the stadium.The Ugandans nearly executed their threat of painting Nairobi yellow.I gave it up to the Ugandans for the love of their national team,they came in droves as if their number could swing the result to their side.

First to arrive were the Ugandan players amid cheers from Ugandan fans and jeers from kenyan fans.Then followed by the convoy of kenyan players led by Oliech’s family in their sleek chrysler.As we waited for the players to come out from their dressing rooms we were entertained by a young footballer who displayed exceptional ball control skills,oh my! you had to be there to understand what i mean…ill upload the video.My only beef with him was that he was donning a yellow jersey,which happened to be cranes colours…i wondered where his loyalties lied.

Brilliant ball control skills in play

It was also worth noting that the stadium was full with a bevy of beauties a scene that was unimaginable in the last 10 years.I think the saying that football is a game of gentlemen watched by Thugs, must have gotten a new meaning.Also in attendance were, for the first time i suppose,The bad boy of kenyan politics Sonko a.k.a Mr. Moneybags, Martha Karua and Kalonzo.I really lauded their presence,hoping that it was not done to gain political mileage.

match in full swing

Oh yeah!! the Mexican wave, again you had to be there to experience it.The Ugandans were unco-operative at the beginning but eventually, after admiring how it worked they joined the fray.

At the end of the barren draw, Kenyan fans left the stadium dejected and giving all manner of reasons as to why we didn’t win.There was a fan who infact said that we didn’t win because of the presence of Kalonzo,Martha Karua and Sonko,that they were bad omen…its from this statement that i gauged the magnitude of dissapointment of kenyan football fans with their perpetual underperfoming national team.

Having seen the Ugandans behind their team 100% in Nairobi, i craved supporting Harambee stars in an away match.Actaully i’m looking forward to their Kampala match next year God willing.

The Ugandans had a clear message for the Kenyans, that we should expect an uphill task once in “CHAMPALA” as they pronounce it.Well one thing is for sure,if Museveni continues beating the war drums like he did before this match,then am expecting Kenyans to go to Uganda in their numbers just to prove a point.

Well much as i was dissapointed with the result,atleast my friend at the Ugandan Embassy had something to smile about and am still waiting for a drink from him.

That’s all……  *with a Meryl Steep Accent*

© 2010

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