This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
Published on July 6, 2020, I still remember the thrill of watching football matches in Kenya during my youth. The national team was a powerhouse, and their victories were always celebrated with great fanfare.
One of the most iconic moments in Kenyan football history was when the national team won a prestigious trophy. The fans were not present to witness the momentous occasion, as they were unable to attend due to the pandemic. However, the team's victory was still celebrated with great enthusiasm, with birds and lizards serving as their audience.
The team's success was largely attributed to the leadership of the then-headmaster of the country, who was also the coach, team captain, and team manager. He was a powerful figure who wielded immense influence, and his presence at matches was always met with great fanfare.
When he attended a match, the soccer fans would gather at the stadium gate and wait for him to arrive. As soon as he arrived, they would declare their unwavering support for him and sing songs in his praise. He would then declare the stadium gates open and free for entry by all.
The national team's success was not limited to their victories alone. They also had a reputation for being a formidable team, with a 'cupboard full of cups' that they had won in the past. Any time they were given a free kick or penalty kick, the score board operator would start preparing to change the scores, as the goal was almost certain to happen.
One of the most memorable moments in Kenyan football history was when the team's star player, nicknamed 'Mafia,' would pick a loose ball and kick it towards the opponent's goal post. The ball would hit the wooden goalpost and turn it into small splinters, and the opposing team's goalkeeper would be left reeling.
Despite the intense rivalry between the teams, the matches were always played with great sportsmanship. The referees were picked at random, and the linesmen were carefully selected from martial arts and boxing clubs in the village. The matches would often run till 7pm, with the tension building up to a fever pitch.
