This archive report was first published on 16 December 2019.
December 16, 2019, marked a significant moment in the history of Harambee Stars, Kenya's national football team, as they dominated regional football. The team's success was largely due to the talent pool from the Coast region, which has remained a vital source of skilled players to date.
Notable players from the region include Mohammed Magogo and Mohammed Abbas, who are Kenya's best shot-stoppers, and Abbas Khamis Magongo, one of Kenya's most gifted all-time midfield generals. The success of these players has led to many successful Kenya Premier League teams, including Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Luo Union, and Kenya Breweries, shopping for talented players from the region.
Recently, Bandari's attacking midfielder Hassan Abdallah has made a statement at the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda with Harambee Stars. His impressive performance has made many believe that there are several other talented players at not only Bandari but also Kenya at large who can perform wonders if given a chance.
Abdallah's speed and skill have made him a mainstay in the attack, dishing out several assists and often falling deep to help congest the defence. His performance has sparked debate among fans and coaches, with some questioning why he was not part of Kenya's team at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Bandari believes they deserve more players in the Harambee Stars team, citing their display at the Caf Confederations Cup tournament as evidence. Players like Wilberforce Lugogo, Darius Msagha, and Brian Otieno have been operating well in the midfield and attack, respectively, and could be of great help to the national team if given a chance.
The current Harambee Stars technical bench is not relying on names or history to call up players for national duty but rather on current form. This approach has led to the discovery of more talents in the grassroots, and it is hoped that it will continue to do so.
With a majority of the premier league teams dominated by foreigners, coaches should shop around for talented stars from the National Super League, which has become very competitive. Meanwhile, Bandari is back and will soon be challenging for a top three finish if their current depth and good rotation from the technical bench is anything to go by.
