In a clash that turned Kasarani into a footballing fireworks display, the Harambee Stars faced off against the South Sudan Bright Stars on Tuesday, September 12. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, with whispers of none other than the Head of State possibly gracing the event.
Setting off at 12:38 PM, I was on the Nairobi Expressway, heading straight to the throbbing heart of Nairobi, the Central Business District, aka ‘Town’. Why so early, you ask? Well, there was chatter in media circles about a possible presidential appearance. No one wants to miss a potential VIP hat-trick!
Touching down at the Safari Park Hotel exit on Thika Road, fans were trickling in, not in a stampede but a steady stream. The security checks were tighter than a goalie’s grip on the ball, a reminder of the gravity of the occasion. After all, Kenya had recently emerged from a FIFA-imposed soccer sabbatical.
South Sudan, the youngest footballing nation since breaking away from Sudan in 2011, took to the field first. The history books favored Kenya, with the last meeting in 2021 seeing Kenya’s Elvis Rupia, aka ‘Machapo’, being the game-changer.
As the clock ticked towards 3:45 PM, the players lined up, and the tension was palpable. Here I was, a first-timer in the national team coverage, amidst whispers of the President’s possible attendance. The stakes couldn’t have been higher if they were mountain peaks.
In a plot twist that would put Hollywood to shame, Kenya Police FC’s Tito Okello stole the show just two minutes into the game. His strike pierced the Harambee Stars’ defense like a hot knife through butter, clinching a hard-fought 1-0 victory for South Sudan. Talk about a ‘Star’-studded performance!
The Kenyan fans were roaring, but it was the visitors who had the last laugh, thanks to a player based in Kenya. Paul Jawa, the Bright Stars’ attacking midfielder, was beaming ear to ear after this historic win. “We worked for it. We needed it after our last AFCON qualifier game against Mali,” said the Rainbow player.
Okello’s goal was a textbook case of seizing the day, capitalizing on Joseph Okumu’s momentary daydream. The Kenyan defense looked as open as a stadium gate on a match day, and Okello made them pay. It was a goal that left Bryne Omondi wondering if he’d left the stove on at home.
The Harambee Stars weren’t about to let South Sudan hog all the limelight. In the 13th minute, Richard Odada unleashed a shot that had ‘GOAL’ written all over it, but the Bright Stars had other plans, deflecting it for a corner. Kenneth Muguna then found himself in a one-on-one tango with the South Sudanese goalie, but Majak Malik had a different script in mind, tipping the ball for a corner.
The drama didn’t stop there. A ‘penalty’ shout that would’ve woken up the neighbors went unheeded. We, the photographers, were ready to raise our lenses in protest, but discretion was the better part of keeping our jobs.
The second half was a tactical chess match, with South Sudan’s defense looking sturdier than a castle wall. Michael Olunga’s 64th-minute attempt felt like a suspense thriller, but Majak Malik was the ultimate plot twist, denying him with a well-timed intervention.
Coach Engin Firat shuffled the deck, sending fresh legs onto the pitch in hopes of turning the tides. Alas, the Bright Stars held their ground, their defense resembling a fortress impervious to attack.
In those final moments, as the fourth official, Josephine Wanjiku, signaled for an extended seven minutes of play, it felt like the clock was both friend and foe. For the Harambee Stars, it was a race against time, launching attacks like a relentless tide. But each attempt was met with Majak Malik’s resolute goalkeeping, the man standing tall as a lighthouse amidst a turbulent sea.
In the end, the Bright Stars shone the brightest, claiming their first-ever victory against Kenya. The Kasarani Stadium witnessed history, etching a tale of David triumphing over Goliath into the annals of Kenyan football. The air hung heavy with a mix of jubilation and astonishment, as the Harambee Stars faithful grappled with the unexpected turn of events.
As I packed my camera gear, I couldn’t help but reflect on this rollercoaster of a match, my first dance with the national team. It was a game that reminded us all why we love football – for its unpredictability, its ability to surprise and inspire. The Kasarani Stadium had been witness to a tale that would echo through the ages, a chapter that would be told and retold in the annals of Kenyan football folklore.
Oh, and speaking of echoes, stringing together images became quite the challenge. You see, the President’s attendance had its downside – communication services were cut short for security concerns. It was as if the universe conspired to test every photographer’s telepathic skills.
