The Ruaraka based Tusker FC can now breathe again after a
dismal performance in this years edition of CECAFA Kagame Cup in Dar-es-salam
Tanzania.
They were held to a barren draw by debutants Mafunzo of
Zanzibar then got the same results against Azam FC two days later. Sammy
‘pamzo’ Omollo was upbeat of a good show when the team departed but he will
have to look at his attack.
Looking at it further, the longer they stayed in Kagame Cup,
the more they Tusker was likely to lose the KPL title. “Now that you are back
home early for the league, Pamzo- break a leg.” History has proved that Kenyan
clubs to the regional tournament (the reigning KPL champs) fail to clinch the
title upon return.
Sofapaka won the league in 2009 and represented Kenya in
2010 Kagame Cup that was hosted by Rwanda. This is the tournament where TP
Mazembe’s Tresor Mputu caused drama in their match against APR and got a ban
from CAF. Sofapaka lost to eventual winners APR of Rwanda in the semi finals.
They returned and stuttered in their title campaign
eventually finishing fourth behind champions Ulinzi and runners up Gor and
Tusker. They finished 12 points behind the leaders and I can bet the two week
tournament in Rwanda had a lot to do with it.
Ulinzi went out to Dar last year and failed to defend their
KPL title as well. Though Ulinzi also spent another two weeks in Brazil for the
World Military Games. Several of their players were injured in Dar where they
reached the quarter finals coming back home with more problems than fortune.
They finished second one point behing winners Tusker.
There is more to CECAFA Club Championship for Kenyan clubs
than meets the eyes. While other leagues in the region have ended and teams are
preparing for the next season later in the year, KPL is at a climax. The other
teams are using the tournament as a build up and test ground for new signings.
They get into it having had a month of rest and preparation
for it unlike Kenyan clubs who always go to the tournament straight from league
fixtures. They also have to contend with getting back to a crowded league
action to catch up with the rest on return.
Looking at it in this way, it is always a lose-lose
situation for our clubs. They will fight hard like Sofapaka and Ulinzi but will
end up losing to mentally prepared teams. Upon return, KPL waits them with the
rigorous challenge of a league that has grown in the last few years.
For Tusker to have left the tournament after playing only
two matches may just be good for their KPL title defense. It is sad though that
Kenya keeps loosing in both club and senior challenge championships. We need to
look at the clubs that go out to represent us as a nation. FKF must support
these clubs if we are to improve our rankings in world football.
Then we have to stop and normalize our league to the FIFA
calendar. This is not only good for clubs going for the regional championship
but also for the national team and foreign based players. We are the odd
country in the region so we have to change and not the other way round.
Meanwhile, we will watch how the championship unfolds in
Dar-es-Salam from the comfort of our homes. I hope FKF has started serious
preparations for the Senior Challenge that we will host in November. We need to
reclaim our lost glory in regional football.
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