Kenyan fans want football back...is the country ready?

Gor Mahia fans celebrate a goal during their their Caf Confederation Cup match against Hussein Dey at the Kasarani Stadium on February 24, 2019. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • With public gatherings still banned in the country, all sports federations are waiting for the report from the Ministry of Sports committee that will inform the way forward as far as the resumption of action is concerned.

Kenya has recorded over 25,000 coronavirus cases and 400 deaths so far. The pandemic halted Kenyan sports and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) effectively ended all the leagues under its jurisdiction in April.

The Ministry of Sport in July set up a committee to formulate the way forward for sports resumption in the country but there have been mixed reactions from various football stakeholders on when best to resume action.

World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi (right) takes Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed around the service park area in Naivasha during an update tour on June 5, 2020.


Photo credit: Anwar Sidi | Nation Media Group

FKF CEO Barry Otieno told Nation Sport that the federation is working on a return to football formula with action set to resume in October tentatively. The federation is already making plans for the next season with the transfer window opening on August 10.

“The federation is currently drafting a return to football Covid-19 protocol that will be used when the leagues are finally back,” Otieno said.

Some of the measures FKF proposes include fumigation of training and match day venues, regular testing of players, having portable dressing rooms amongst others.

However, Dr Andrew Suleh, who has is in charge of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Medical Committee for over a decade and a half, says there is no need to rush the resumption.

“Even before we think of resumption of the leagues, there must be a clear guideline on regular testing of the players and think of who covers the costs. The players cannot afford this and neither can the clubs. The certificate too lasts for 14 days only and therefore there will be regular recurrent costs and this is expensive,” Suleh told Nation Sport.

“If the tests happen, then we must follow the national guidelines on isolation, depending on whether one is asymptomatic or not. Who covers the costs?"

"There’s the option of home-based care but the majority of players live in neighborhoods and set-ups that cannot allow this. There is a need for social distancing even in training and on match days, provision of quality masks and sanitizers and all these are factors that need to be carefully considered before football can resume.”  

“We have to borrow heavily from what other leagues like the English Premier League are doing but also be very careful since ours is a unique situation. For instance, do the clubs have the resources to take care of players in the event they turn positive? We have seen even the so-called big clubs struggle to take care of the players when they suffer small injuries and therefore this is a challenge.”

“Most players also come from the neighbourhoods that have really been affected by the pandemic, for instance in Nairobi, most of them stay in Embakasi, Kasarani and Dagoretti. They will need to be tested and retested regularly and ideally, stay in camp. Do the clubs have the resources to make this possible?”

Dr Suleh also says there is a need to think of the fans before the leagues resume.

Gor Mahia fans celebrate a goal during their their Caf Confederation Cup match against Hussein Dey at the Kasarani Stadium on February 24, 2019. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

“Football has no taste without the fans. We also need clear guidelines on how many fans can be allowed at any particular venue and what measures they will have to follow if allowed into the match venues.”

“It is almost impossible to stop the spread of the virus but what is most important is putting in place the contingency plans to deal with the cases and regularly test players because one could be negative today and test positive tomorrow. The ideal situation if we are to resume the leagues is to have the players under lock and key where they are not interacting with outsiders but this too is almost impossible in Kenya,” he added.

Gor Mahia chairperson Ambrose Rachier agrees with Dr Suleh and emphasises there’s no need to rush the resumption of football leagues as that could be detrimental in the long run.

“It’s impractical to play football in Kenya without fans. It is also impossible to have the players in makeshift camps and teams cannot afford regular testing of players,” Rachier told Nation Sport.

Rachier insists that Kenya should not follow Tanzania and Zambia who resumed their leagues amid the outbreak because its repercussion could be fatal.

“Zambia recently resumed its matches but the virus hit harder leading to the stoppage. Uganda is starting soon while in Tanzania the government insists the virus has been defeated. Kenya should not rush but wait until normalcy returns. Even North African countries like Egypt and Morocco have still not yet resumed their matches,” he added.

Mathare United's Junior Harun (left) vies for an aerial ball with Thiong'o Peter of Kakamega Homeboyz during their Kenya Premier League match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on November 29, 2019.

Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group

Most players, however, want the league to resume soon but with the health regulations adhered to.

“I think safety and everybody’s health has to come first. We miss being out there playing football and entertaining the fans but safety and everybody’s health can’t be compromised. As players, we need to stay disciplined and play our part by following all the measures put in place by the government,” Tusker FC defender Eugene Asike said.

Tusker defender Eugene Asike works out on May 9, 2020 at Alpha Fit Gym.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation media Group

“The league can resume anytime but only if the right measures are put in place and I believe the federation and the government will do so. It’s important for every club to test their players and staff not only once but more often as the league goes on. We should also observe the 1.5 metres distance rule when we are off the pitch (in the bus or changing room).”

“Resumption of the league will be a step in the right direction not only for us as footballers but for the entire nation, and slowly but surely that will bring some confidence to everyone that our lives can move and we can contain this virus,” he added.

Former Kenyan international Allan Wanga, who now turns out for Kakamega Homeboyz, echoed Asike’s sentiments.

“I think it has been long enough in the cold. Footballers in the country are suffering as most Kenyan teams don’t pay salaries and allowances when the leagues are on a break and this has taken a toll on the players. Let the leagues kick-off, we will observe all the laid down protocols and guidelines,” he said.

Kakamega Homeboyz striker Allan Wanga dribbles past Tusker midfielder Hashim Sempala during a match at Ruaraka, Nairobi.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

With public gatherings still banned in the country, all sports federations are waiting for the report from the Ministry of Sports committee that will inform the way forward as far as the resumption of action is concerned.