Kenya recently lifted the ban on sports activities in the country but unfortunately for football, Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Amina Mohamed mentioned that it was categorized under breeding zones for COVID-19. This was meet as massive bump for Kenya’s football fraternity as Kenya face a possible penalty by CAF if Harambee Stars fail to play their 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers due in November.
In March this year, CAF postponed AFCON Qualifiers after the COVID-19 pandemic. In another statement, CAF indicated that the qualifiers will be played between November 2020 and March 2021.
The Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) expressed fears that Kenya will get banned if football is still prohibited and called upon the government to intervene. The decision by the government not only affects the national team but also the Kenya Premier League champions Gor Mia who will represent the country in the Africa Champions League.
KEFWA chairman, James Situma, on Friday said, “I am calling on the government to act fast in lifting the suspension so that footballers can continue earning. Without the resumption of football, even sponsors will shy away from funding the sport.”
“Other countries in the world have already started their leagues and in the East Africa region, Tanzania league is currently on, In fact it was played to the end and now has resumed. Uganda has set kick-off dates same as Rwanda. Why is Kenya an exception; why can’t we play football?” he added.
However, sports CS Amina Mohamed assured the Harambee Stars that their concerns will be given special consideration. The Harambee Stars management can engage her office to discuss a safe way of playing the matches whilst following COVID-19 guidelines she said.
“The federation is welcome to the office to discuss the way forward in regard to the coming matches. There is hope that the contact sports will also re-open soon,” she said.
Kenya will play Comoros in the AFCON Qualifiers in November.
