It was pomp, colour, pageantry and loads of cash as Harambee Stars milked a warm return from Nigeria on Monday night following their heroic 1-1 draw against African champions, the Super Eagles over the weekend.
For a team used to limp returns home following their abysmal away record, all stops were pulled, a traditional band in place, jubilant fans and above all, Nairobi Senator-elect, Mike Sonko, making good his pledge as he handed team captain, Dennis Oliech, Sh1.1m in cash.
President-elect, Uhuru Kenyatta, has also promised the side Sh1m with Sonko awarding the team Sh1m for the ‘win’ and Sh100,000 to Francis Kahata for the goal.
The man of the moment was of course, Thika United youngster, Kahata, who bent in the wicked free-kick to the top corner to leave Super Eagle’s captain, Vincent Enyeama clutching straws for the opener on the 36th minute.
“The Super Eagles were not an easy target but with the teamwork and a coach who understands us we were able to draw the game,” he said mobbed by fans.
Speaking after giving his reward to the stars at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Sonko challenged political leaders to put political differences aside and stand with the national team
“We must restore our soccer back to its lost glory,” he added noting he had decided to pay out the win since by the end of 90 minutes, Stars had ‘won’ the game 1-0 before the Super Eagles equalised in the fourth minute of added time through Nhamdi Oduamadi.
Algerian born Belgian coach, Adel Amrouche, also came for praise for organising the team to counter the threat posed by the African champions who were crowned last month in South Africa in his first game in charge.
He was however, still seething from being sent-off in the dying minutes of the match at the behest of the fourth official, a factor he attributed to the lapse in concentration that allowed Oduamadi, the AC Milan rookie.
Speaking earlier, Amrouche promised Nigeria ‘hell’ during the return, fired up by the mal-treatment his team received in Lagos where they were forced to train in an estate primary school ground and lodged in a boarding school.
“My team played the last 10 minutes without me; it is tough for any team playing like that. I was asked to leave at the time they needed me most. My absence caused us a lot.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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