Kenyan football players angry with FKF boss Mwendwa for saying country has no talents
Kenyan football players are angry with FKF boss Mwendwa for saying the country has no talents, hence the poor results in the ongoing World cup qualifiers, where Kenya has since been knocked out.
Mwendwa failed to explain clearly the reason why Kenya lost 6-0 aggregate in the hands of Mali a fortnight ago.
According to Mwendwa, who was in an interview with a local station, a key reason why stars performed poorly was because it lacked quality players that can perform at the highest stage.
The sentiments by Mwendwa however has elicited mixed reactions from fans and players who could not believe the president would make such comments given that he has been mandated to improve football standards in the country.
In an interview with People Daily Digital, a Premier League player who asked not to be mentioned for fear of victimization said such statements should not come from the President given his position to improve local football.
“It’s a disgrace for the president to comment in such a way, given that players work each and every day to yield positive results, it is uncalled-for and unnecessary,” the player said.
At the same time former Harambee Stars midfielder Macdonald Mariga has criticised Mwendwa for belittling Kenyan footballers.
The former Inter Milan midfielder said Mwendwa's sentiments were an insult to past and present footballers who have tirelessly worked hard for the country.
“I’m appalled by FKF President Nick Mwendwa sentiments made on live Tv that Kenya has no talented football players to compete with other nations. This is an insult and disrespect to the current, former and all upcoming footballers who have continuously suffered playing under his reign,” Mariga said.
Former FKF vice chairman also weighed in on Mwendwa’s comments by pointing an accusing finger at the President for the troubles that have infiltrated the game to a point of Stars being the whipping boys in continental football.
“I have followed with disbelief the statements by Mwendwa following the double loss to Mali and instead of coming out and taking up the responsibility for the ineptitude of the federation, is making nonsensical remarks,” Twaha said.
Mali ended Stars hopes of clinching a ticket to the 2022 World Cup by winning the return leg by a solitary goal at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi last weekend.
