 We've got the Kenya Cup going on, the Kenya Primarily going on, but now we take our focus to football here in the local circuit here in the country. Steve, are you joining us? No, man. How are you doing? I'm doing great. Only the pressure. The last time I was with you was during Mashemeji Dabi and you were rejoicing Gurmaia's victory against FC Leipzig. Not necessarily rejoicing. I was very neutral. Your mood was sort of boring. I was very neutral. Was it at halftime? They were leading two nails. But that was expected, of course considering the awful show of FC Leipzig's 12-time KPL champions, it was expected. Despite the fact that during most dabbies anything can happen, but Gurmaia owing to their record against their rivals, it was anticipated. It was not upset on that day. I think everyone expected Gurmaia here to win, probably even FC Leipzig themselves. That's why probably there wasn't so much violence after that game, but that already happened. Let's focus on what we have on the place. Big things are happening here in the country. Of course our team actually now in camp preparations for the Africa Cup of Rations are on and the big question is the coach has gone ahead to call some of the local best players, Kidi has called Buire from Sofa Parka. Four goals since he has turned Sofa Parka. He has got to have impressed the coach in the striking department. I think I was actually really impressed by the squad that Minya called. I could see there was a lot of experience in youth. The likes of Buire, the likes of Adevido from Madari United. The likes of Faruk Shikalo, still a very young player if you ask me, and a very good goalkeeper. So there was a lot of experience in that team. Kahata, Filiamon, Otenu who have been playing and helping Kenya even qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. So generally looking at the squad I think it was well balanced. That team is exciting. Obviously the team will be training probably the coach said one team every month. This team is more of being supplemented with the experienced players who are playing in Europe and everything will be coming back. Because of the Chan Tournament. This team is majorly an assembly of local players who can play in the African Nations Cup. It looks to be a very good knitted young team that can actually do something in the Chan Tournament. Yeah, if you look at all those players you've been called up. I think they've been some of the most impressive as far as the campaign in the 2019 Kenyan Premier League is concerned. And like I said, if you have youth and you have experience that only bodes well for the team. And for Minye, given that Chan is only for local base players, I think we have the quality in the team. As far as if you look at the goalkeeping, even the defence and the midfield department. I think all those positions were stopped. Obviously there is still a chance for the likes of Nikola Skipkurei. In fact, in fact... See, I know you are a reputable football right and you read so much and you follow even the sentiments by Kenyan football. Immediately that code was released by Sebastian Minye. I know it's provisional for Chan, Natuna Menment, for local best players. There was sort of criticism as far as some departments are concerned. The goalkeeping department, especially contributing players from the same club, that's Karibangli Sharks and probably one of the custodians who's not been getting regular playing time. Also earning an inclusion. And of course several absentees whom you and I know that probably they ought and deserved an inclusion. Kenneth Muguna has been exceptional for Gorma Football Club since returning back to his former club. Dennis Oliyech of course is yet to gain much fitness, but also several fans looked forward to his inclusion. The likes of Sve Nida, Karibangli Sharks and even considering what those young tracks did during the Sport Pesa Super Cup in Tanzania, Arizona, Muendoa, Duku, Abuya. So in as much as we might agree with this code but there is sort of holes that are being left and eyebrows that we can raise. But that one is actually under the discretion of the coach. We might have good players all of them also. Of course his decision is final. You know you can't call in all the players, you can only call in a few. And every time you, I'm sure even if you would have called the likes over Muguna and the likes of Kipkuri, still people would have been like ok, where is this guy, where is this guy. So that is always... You call in the Tampa, where do you call this? But I think mostly the debate has been about the inclusion or rather the exclusion of Dennis Oliyech and for me they actually agree with the coach. He needs to work, he needs to earn his spot in that team. On merit. Yeah on merit, we need to really look at merit. Obviously if you have somebody of Oliyech's reputation in Kaliber, it brings a lot into the team just besides being able to score goals, it brings that personality and experience. I have a problem with people with a generation that grew up watching Dennis Oliyech. They were that generation of we are Dennis Oliyech. People are coming up, we are David Owino, David's church. That's like my generation now. But this generation of people who went to school together with Dennis Oliyech, breaks to the Sikafa team in two or two, is making all the wonders to Africa Cup of Nations. And people are happy. These are our players, this is the best player. But they are failing to move away from that. Dennis Oliyech is not actually as good as he was today. If he is coming on to a dressing room, matters of football on the field should be a bit limited to the advice he can give, not to his body and his mind to give it on the field. You and I know that FOM is temporary classes permanent. Dennis Oliyech has been tremendous for the national team. He made his debut in 2003. And of course he inspired the national team qualifications to African Cup of Nations in two or one or two days of Jacob Gostmule. Since he has come back to local football, he has backed I think two goals. And the moment he has come on the pitch for Gorma football club, he has been hilarious in terms of his performance. But of course we all have to agree that Dennis Oliyech inclusion in the national team has to be on merit and deserving, but not really his name that we used to know in the past. But of course Sebastian Minyo probably must be giving him time before right now as we speak in between before the African Cup of Nations get done in Egypt. Probably the Frenchman would have already decided on whether he will call him. But experience is also key in as much as we might also be... I think there is still time. There is still time. There is still time for Oliyech to work his way into the school. Yeah. But as we speak right now I think it's a bit... Let me not lie to you. As I'm speaking now, I've got many people who will be saying, what is that guy saying? That guy does not want Oliyech in the national team. And everybody will be saying Oliyech will earn that because of merit. And I can tell you for free, no matter how Dennis Oliyech works from now to June or into the selection of the team going to camp, they are better placed players who will work extra hard to earn that chance to be in the national team. Definitely I have to agree with you that player selection is not supposed to be compromised, is not supposed to be interfered with with the juniors of football in the country, but the coach should be left to do his work independently. You realize this conversation is not even with Dennis Oliyech. It's not even with the national team. It is with the fans, with people, many journalists out here actually saying, Dennis Oliyech needs to be in the national team. It is not about Dennis Oliyech saying, I'm good enough to be in the national team. But of course that's a conversation that you probably will win. This is never ending. Entering our subsequent programs we can proceed, but overall I think we agree with the quote that was named by Frenchman Sebastian Minyafochan. And of course that is blend of youth and experience as Steve said and when professional players led by the captain Victor Wanyama joined the camp I think that blend would be something that is needed. One question that came out was we are in the tropics, we are sending our team to train in a camp in France or it has not been decided yet and we will be playing in Egypt which is a bit of an arid country. How will that impact the players? I think the trip is just for the sake of feel good factor. Some of these players are really hung, their passports are not all that stamped. I get that trip going to France. It's motivation. It will motivate me. I'll work extra hard so that when that trip comes where we need to go to Egypt then I'll be in the reckoning. So for me I think also it's quite some time before we go to Egypt and the weather here in Kenya is not so different. It's not as hot as it is in Egypt. So it's just a training camp. They'll probably go there for a week. If they get the fans it's not a grand deal and come back and put it in the locker. So what I think and everything that is going to happen is let's not put pressure on the team that you need to go to the Africa Cup of Nations and perform. You have been out in the cold for 15 years. Just make Africa Cup of Nations, make another Africa Cup of Nations in that from now on let it be known that Arambesta is a main state in the Africa Cup of Nations. We are not going to move away from the Africa Cup of Nations. To make it to four tournaments in the Africa Cup of Nations now will be saying we need that semifinal sport. And I think there is every chance that Arambesta can become regular. Also aided by the fact that Kaaf decided to increase the number of teams that participate in that competition. Obviously it doesn't bode in well for us when we say we can only participate because the number of teams have been increased. That means you are not competitive enough. But it's already there. Even the World Cup is going to be extended to 48 teams. That is massive. I agree with you. We should look at Africa Cup of Nations. We should be a main state in that competition like the likes of Nigeria, the likes of Ivory Coast. The moment we become an African powerhouse the now getting to the World Cup becomes ever so easy because we are used to competing and actually winning a competition. Because remember the last time we were in Africa in 2004. We lost 3-1 to Mali, we lost 3-0 to Senegal. We beat Bokina Faza 3-0 during the last group time. Emmanuel Ake and Baraza scoring. That is the only game we have won in the AFKON. In the 5 times we have been to the AFKON. That's the only game. So it tells you, AFKON is not ours. We are not ready. But just a contrary opinion. Kenya, as far as footballing is concerned is not Madagascar that are qualifying for the first time and probably that would be a platform for them to get exposed and noticed as they look forward qualifying going forward. Kenya is a football heavyweight. I know in terms of profile, in terms of pedigree we might not be compared to the likes of Intometable Lions of Cameroon Ivory Coast Super Eagles of Nigeria. But Kenya has also bragged of positive headlines football wise considering we've also contributed to our immense talent playing in professional football and we are non globally. So in as much as we might not go there to wheel but we have to give our all and deliver because considering that this will be a proper build up to 2022 World Cup I remember interving when I was campaigning and he said that his key target will be to help the national team qualify to 2022 World Cup in Qatar and before we qualify we need also to sparkle at continental stage. Still can bear it with me and I can say it here without fear of contradiction. Kenya is not a big team in football. Kenya is not a big country in football we need to take that to the bank and let no one lie to people that Kenya is a big country. I think they had a stick to it. How good a team is. There is a short cut that we have and majorly I am one of them we journalists are culprits we put pressure on people we put stories outside there pushing Kenya to be a team that is good in football. When you know to the fiber of our human bonds we are not a good country in football all the way from the grass road level to the national level it's just that we have got this short cut we have got a league it has to be played That's where my point was coming from if you look at our local league in itself the teams that frequent continental football even European championships and even the World Cup you have to look at their leagues very strong that is where we need to start working on and Kaaf released the progress of teams as far as continental league football is concerned in Gormahia at number 26 right now in Africa they moved from number 43 the last time those ratings were released so I think we are making which means Kenyan football is getting progressive we are getting there but now we need another Gormahia we need another Gormahia in there a team that can go out there and be do what be a mainstay in Kaaf Champions League in Confederation we saw Karibangi Shakts went they didn't do so well they just went via the preliminary round we have seen the same with Sofapaka we have seen the same with the FC Lopad we have seen the same with Ulinsi so we really need to work on our league right now because even if you look at the Kenyan Premier League right now Bandari look like they are getting there this is a team that has never really even won the Kenyan Premier League I think the best they have done maybe was last season finishing third you look at FC Lopad they fell off now if you want to find the FC Lopad you have to go really down Sofapaka are very inconsistent Bandari are very inconsistent so the moment Gormahia actually start playing so well then the league is pretty much guaranteed so the most important thing is putting in place proper systems just in machinana to understand there is plenty of potential and you have to have continuity program so that when Deniz Olihich is exiting the stage we will not struggle we will not struggle to get the way we are talking about and I am sorry we are taking this conversation too far we are talking about now the national team and everything one thing that the federation has done and is good is the centre of excellence the only problem is it's a one area it's a one school structure centre of excellence if that centre of excellence with the curriculum that they have be replicated in the whole country then we start seeing those results from the whole country those kids in primary school the way they are getting on to secondary school level they are progress from secondary school level to college level from there to professional playing then we will be starting having many many players coming up young players who are good enough to play in our national league system I think as far as youth structures are concerned I think what the federation have done they have let corporate run this the youth systems we used to have the kapa koka kola tournament we barely hear about it these days we have the safari koma kapa dima kapa dima so they have left it to corporate so my only question is how much say does the federation have it on that case of this sanctioning the league these students having that opportunity to play in that tournament then go out of Kenya go for the continental game then maybe 2 or 3 are picked then we never hear of that I think it is prudent you have brought in the question of corporate involvement in supporting sporting activities in the country some we have heard saying that it is pure exercise it is their own mileage publicity and marketing I remember you were in charge of some corporate in 2014 prior to FIFA 2014 it was a good program it was a good program because if I can actually just mention to you a couple of players who graduated from that tournament we have Eugene Mukangula FC Leopards right now we have Christopher Ruchum also FC Leopards we have Muhalwe the goalkeeper at Wazito FC at Mount Kenya I can count actually a whole first 11 who graduated from that tournament and that was under 17 these are teams that you can actually find most of these players are playing in the top flight or in the national super league which makes me ask myself what if somebody would have taken up that whole team the way they left South Africa for that continental football and came back to Kenya and still remain together that team would have been now the mainstream of the under 23 team right now because they are quite young lads and that team would have been having that ability to actually beat even qualify for the under 23 Africa Cup of Nations but that is what I was saying about corporate involvement the moment they go out they come back even when just goes there it's over, it's done for you it's finished right there and we go on and talk about Golmaya preparing for their continental assignment at Kenya Hussein Day and Golmaya came back and left the group open and today they are going to play when they are going to play Hussein Day it is now a win-win situation for Golmaya how tough is it for Golmaya now in this group? It's quite tough for them Hussein Day are the ones who are leading that group with 4 points meaning that they went to Zamalek in Egypt it's not so easy going to North African getting points they went there and forced Zamalek to a 1-1 draw because Golmaya got 4-2 Zamalek is one of those big teams they even won the champions league the calf champions league and also they beat Petra Atletico 2-1 and Golmaya lost to Petra Atletico 2-1 in Luanda they are facing a team who they might have been just in the reckoning as far as who is going to top this group is concerned because you don't have to look past Zamalek as much as they are struggling right now and they are coming out as the team to beat so far in Golmaya have to be quite careful where a big one for Golmaya there but prior to this particular time you've seen mind games from Hussein Day they have refused to train at the poster ground saying that the facility is substandard and we've seen such lamentations before complaints from African teams asan te kotoko when they were about to play Karubangshaks in calf confederations calf confederations they complained about the treatment and they said that the facilities are or is it psychological tricks to try to destabilize the openings it is not psychological you look at the training ground for Hussein Day back in Algeria then compared to the poster grounds how you are taking them right now but you can compare the facilities in North Africa with what we have here that's the whole point that's the reason as to why they have to agree with what they are being given because we don't have what they have in there it is I don't deny that you have to make do with what you have but sports is moving into a way you look at the English Premier League where they say you cannot have a team come on to the English Premier League if it does not have a natural grass playing field so we might be getting into a situation where with the calf rules and everything that is coming in place we have got calf saying good man can qualify for the calf champions league but if you don't have the best field for these other teams to come you are off the competition so competition alone is not enough I think playing facility and training facility are two different things if you are talking about playing facility I think we can host any team matimachakos ground you can host any team in Bukungu you can host any team even in Kericho Ninyayo is also getting ready so as far as I think the playing facility is concerned and that should be calf's main born of contention I think we have that as far as training is concerned now I'm sure I even go was it last season when they went to Nigeria and they also complained of mistreatment so it seems like it's just something that is in ads in Africa you come here it's all psychological mind games you come here we sort of just try to find that age and it happens you remember Liverpool when they were playing was it West Africa in the in the Premier League recently that game that ended one-one at half time the groundsmen decided to clear the ice on the side that Liverpool were attacking and left the ice on the side that West Africa were attacking just to make the game ever so difficult so these things happen in football and if Usendia refused to train that's the unfold they love to play they love to play against Gorma here today trained at KSMS but Gorma heading into this particular time with allegations of unpaid use and salaries to several players and confirmed reports indicate that Denis Olih might not feature in that particular time because of violation of his contractual agreement with his team and also suspensions I don't know that would make the team's performance of course they need victory to go to the top of the tempo and they are getting separated two of them with one point so it's a big game with this old age issue and payment I will tell you a quote between two words the first word is that yes it needs to be paid you know is due contract you work your money then the other thing tells me this somebody who has not been on the pitch for quite some time it should be so hungry you know do you want to pay this much I am not sure I don't think he's not been paid 100% I think it's just part of the dues because from what I've read he went to his bank and found there was only like 100,000 in the account I don't know how much is paid every month obviously it's a lot of money can't that sustain him at least for the next few few days I'm sure it's something that the executive are working on I don't think they are just sleeping there and saying we have this money they are holding it back, they want to pay him so for me as far as he is concerned and if you want to continue saying that old age should be called for chan and all that and being such an experienced player being such a player with the big head in terms of being experienced so much I think for him right now should just be hungry, I just want to play I just want to gain that fitness I want to dislocate to you saying as the number one striker in Gorma here because if you look at the club right now it's behind probably the Nikola skip career on the peking order for me I think it's just that hunger but obviously now also the human heart says man you can't play in an empty stomach definitely but if you join Kaiser Chiefs of South Africa that is left but Godfrey prior to their continental thai again I think super sport united there was controversy surrounding lack of payment of salaries and they had used underlanders as well and that even led into his failure to board that plane to head to South Africa for that particular thai I don't know what's the long term solution that should be put in place so that these issues going forward can be addressed because prior to a sensitive game then these problems are arising I think besides just obviously addressing the back room issues as far as management is concerned there's also the issue of making our clubs attractive to corporate involvement we need more spot passers to come into the game club like Gorma here you need to be having a sponsor probably even in the English Premier League all clubs have a slave sponsor I think Gorma here I remember I think they came in Machakos last year it was Gorma against Esperance and the conversation was look at how many sponsors Esperance had on their whole team they had two sponsors on the front they had a different sponsor on the back side they had a slave sponsor and they had a short sponsor realize that and it was a big deal for them but the sponsors wanted coverage and they came out to be streamed for them because that's what they do but corporate and financial discipline in all the clubs is how we finish that conversation so big conversation we'll be going on with but we cannot finish now let's go on to one of the biggest matches that will be happening this afternoon will be Madara United versus FC Leopards but before we discuss the kima that will be going to happen he used to have got his groove back now he has won three times the Kenya Premier League coach of the month and this month of January he was the one who was awarded the kong he seems to be his back now yeah he was back in January right now if you look at where Madara United are they are third in the league for Madara what has happened over time they don't lose so many matches but Madara always drew they drew 15 matches 15 hours of 30 15 hours of 34 as you speak right now they've already drawn 5 matches so they need to just remove that thing out of the equation either we win or we lose there's nothing in between but for Madara it's always been draws and that's why they actually even fallen on the table have been started so well they were top of the league I think for the first maybe 10 rounds I've been called to the national team for me I don't think there's a midfielder who's been so good as far as his job is concerned like Roy in that midfielder I've watched him and it's just been a joy to watch this season so for Madara United I think they just need to find a way of winning obviously they want to lose obviously a point is better than none but it's just the draws because I'm talking about 15 last season I'm talking about 15 previous seasons but for Kimansi winning the gong in January I think he deserved it obviously he beat the likes of Mualala to the gong Bandari and Okte of Gorma here so he deserved it but as far as the league table is concerned I think it's just a case of saying let's listen into Kimansi himself talk about winning the log and then we'll go on with this conversation we have a motivation because we have up to now a good run and a good record so I think if we can improve it in the round 10 and 11 rounds I think it will be better every team wants to work for a better environment and if we have an environment that we feel that we are happy we are safe as a group and we are enjoying what we are doing what is important for me is that at least every player one of every offensive player is able to show that he can manage to score the distribution among the 18 goals that we have scored shows there's no dominance in one player that means they are more the mobility is good and I think they are sharp as the offensive players of my team so it's good when you don't only rely on one but you have a collective responsibility I think every single player that I've got here is very impressive because Juma is also a youngster who spent two years already understudying Jojo Wino and now he has come out and is doing something very very positive and he shows that he has been learning something and he is ready to take the challenge but we know David the same so the youngsters who are always I believe it's a journey it's a story of a small journey with the youngsters who are trying to establish themselves and they are doing it and they are doing it in style after winning the Kenya Premier League coach of the month he had four draws no sorry for that four wins and two draws and one match that will be happening there today will be Bandari versus Zoya Sugar at Mbaraki Stadium these are direct win for Mualala because now he is welcoming majority back into the deep end back into the deep waters of Kenyan football how do you think that match will go Zoya last season after obviously Mualala left Zoya for Bandari they went to Bandari and they were beaten I don't see that changing today they found a winning formula I think everything is working that defense is really really strong with the goalkeeper Shikalo he doesn't like considering and Feli Mulumi in there and Meja also as a full back I think that's one player that should have a look at Bandari they made a case in the second leg of last season I think they covered it in seven points to capture Goldmay and finish second considering only one or two golds and people were like this Feli Mulumi is really worth Bandari needed and they made that case and this season they added Bandari to that defense so it tells you they have got a tough team to beat I think how they finished last season was really strong and guys were like probably this is a look end of season momentum something they picked up they brought it into this season and they are not leading that table by chance I think they are the team as far as they are concerned they are quite consistent they are not like the Bandaris I mean the Bandaris in the Kario Bangi Sharks those are some of the two most inconsistent teams and by the way talking about Mother United they need to replicate what they did a few years ago in 2008 when they won Kenya Premorship title Mother United as far as local football is concerned can be compared to the likes of Southampton, Monaco I think Kenyan version of those teams because we have seen them we have seen the team getting raided in terms of when the teams that brago financial muscles want great players going to Mother United going to Zoya Football Club to get the top talent outside there but of course Francis Kimansi the former Rambia Star strategician and the likes of Cliff Nyakea also who I think also deserve probably being in the national team Rambia Star has been quite tremendous despite the loss of that experience defender was associated with much fixing there has been a gap in the defense but Mother United can probably I think one thing I like with Francis Kimansi is he doesn't go for quick fixes he tries to mold that team remember the team that made it to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations had 7 Mother United players and those 7 were the key players to help Mother win the 2008 Kenyan Premier League title and you realize since the last 3 seasons the other season Mother was on their way down come up last season Mother worked their way up and with Francis Kimansi coming on to add some experience players even James Situma on the fold he works on with the youth and the plant to bring them up and let's not deny it other teams with money obviously will be coming for this kind of players look at Harrison Mwendo Mwendo broke out in Mathare we saw him breaking out with Mathare and Karubanki came Mboya the goalkeeper the moment he broke out and is very good enough Tasker is here we need you so he doesn't like the quick fixes to make the team there and we are finishing I've been told to wind up as we are going on to the next segment but I could not live here without talking about FC Leopards quickly I'll talk about FC Leopards I'll just say one word sad, it's quite sad what's happening at that club because you look at the team itself in terms of the players they have those kids can beat any team in the country and beyond I just don't know what's happening obviously we blame the management if you've seen over time whenever the office or the back room office is not stable then results are always affected you've seen it with the likes of Leeds United we are seeing it currently with Newcastle Liverpool are almost in trouble when the likes of Hicks and Gillet were in charge of that club so I think that in itself is really affecting the club but also I don't know what's happening with the players they don't seem motivated because if you look at these players most of them have actually moved into the club in moving into FC Leopards a club that has a sponsor means that probably your salary packs are going to be up there so why not putting in the effort on the pitch I don't know what's happening I was talking to one of the defenders for FC Leopards Dan Chitu and he says that amongst the experienced players the most influential players of course himself included alongside Waivon, Susan Captain Robinson Kamura who the other day I think a few weeks ago was quoted out of context I don't know or that's what he said because the fans of FC Leopards are referring to his comments as reckless when he said that they don't have any standout strike because they are struggling in the attacking department something that I'm in agreement but they need to do a favor to their legends look at the players who played for the team before the likes of JJ Masiga, Dan Shikanda now the legends are out now they are making a case that this office has to go and one of the major case that is coming out is the office every board in that office is an agent of course as you speak right now there came on board a rescue a rescue committee led by Murisa Mwa Mombasa in business man and of course Dan Shikanda deputizing him and they said that one of their key mandate key priorities to rescue the team and restore it's lost glory because they are citing reasons that are speaking but that is what everyone who comes that's a tad like I think we are coming to rescue the team they all say that Stibu and I would agree that I think during the hey days of one former Nairobi county speaker Miguel the team tried well we need to have a mix of Osoro no problem executive committee let's hope that everything can change at the FC Lopez then and we can have them back to where they belong in the Kenya Premier League big matches at the Kenya Premier League this afternoon will be post arrangers versus or Lindsey Stas will be having bandari versus that's a game to watch homeboys will be playing sofa paka madare united will be playing FC Lopez to finish up this match day today on saturday I didn't know you are a big basketball fan when we were playing the NBA All-Star game was when we talked and I was like kumbe basketball is also your game man I am a sports guy I am not a football guy I watched the NBA All-Stars game and it was awesome man I loved it and the three pointers they were missing one in ten every time stef carrey goes up every time even Dick Novitski he came in and he was moving like I don't know he has a ninja or something it was awesome competition from the NBA All-Star game when he come back will be all about the fan zone