LET’S TONE DOWN OUR EXPECTATIONS!

I

t is now official that our long suffering Harambee Stars is set to get a world-class coach. Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Sports minister, Paul Otuoma are set to grace the unveiling of Henri Michel, the new Stars coach.

The whole country has almost gone hysterical about it. To many, Henri Michel is the much-needed messiah to the Kenyan soccer that has literally seen the worst. The French-man may have unrivalled feathers to his cap, but as a nation that has suffered heartbreaks and anguish due to an under-performing national team, let us tone down our expectations. It will be prudent not to expect too much.

Frenchman Henri Michel, a reputed tactician has enjoyed great success at the game’s pinnacle. As a player and coach, he led the Les Bleus, France’s national team, to third place in Mexico 1986 and became a household name in Morocco, after guiding the Atlas Lions to France 1998 World Cup. He went on to steer the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia to the 2002 World Cup in Japan/ Korea and was Ivory Coast’s coach during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

However, bearing in mind that football administration has been deplorable, laden with corruption and all manner of ills, it will be wise not to expect too much from the new Stars tactician. There are no proper structures to develop and nature talent in readiness for national duty.

The Kenyan premier league had to form its own independent body in 2003, Kenya Premier League, KPL. This was after the then Kenya Football Federation, KFF almost threw the game to the dogs. Despite the newly elected Football Kenya Federation, FKF, there is no respite in sight for Kenyan soccer. Power games have almost washed away the hope that that had engulfed the Kenyan football fraternity.

Only the Late Reinhardt Fabisch had a successful tenure at the helm of the national team, besides renowned German Bernard Zgoll in the 80s. Apart from the two, foreigners Bernard Lama of France and German Antoine Hey had short, trouble-laden tenures. They consequently left acrimoniously. These were all precipitated by unfulfilled promises by the football administrators.

These incidents should have taught us not to over- blow with optimism with regard to Michel’s appointment. We should trend carefully and give the Frenchman the necessary support to produce the desired results. But we ought to ask ourselves if there are any long-term measures to get Kenyan soccer on track. Henri Michel’s appointment and success if any will only be short-term, the long walk awaits us.

Good people and football- loving Kenyans, great expectations may make us frustrated and bitter if the football does not change for the better under Monsieur Le Bon!