By KPC Sports Desk
Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Sam Nyamweya says Kenya’s 1-0 defeat to Guinea has exposed problems within Harambee Stars that go beyond what happens on the pitch.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Nyamweya said he was pained not simply by the defeat, but by what he described as a missed opportunity for Kenya to collect three points.
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“I cry not because we lost, but because we threw away a game we should have won,” said Nyamweya, who is now FKF Emeritus President.
Although Guinea secured victory on home soil, Nyamweya argued that Kenya had been the better side in several aspects of the match but failed to turn its chances into goals.
He said the defeat should prompt a serious examination of how the national team is prepared, players are selected and their welfare handled.
According to Nyamweya, Kenya has enough talent both at home and abroad to compete at the highest level, but players must be selected on merit, current form and commitment to the national team.
“Player selection must be on merit, form and patriotism – not favoritism or outside influence,” he said.
Nyamweya also raised concerns about the morale of both players and the technical bench, arguing that poor welfare could affect performance on the field.
He cited allowances, bonuses, travel arrangements and accommodation among issues that he said needed urgent attention.
“You cannot expect players to die for the badge when their welfare is neglected,” Nyamweya said.
His comments come after Harambee Stars also dropped points at home against Eritrea, a result that had raised expectations for a stronger response in the subsequent match against Guinea.
Instead, Kenya suffered another setback, leaving Nyamweya questioning whether lessons were being learnt from previous disappointments.
He urged the current FKF leadership to introduce transparent and merit-based player selection, address player welfare and bring together stakeholders in Kenyan football.
“A divided Federation can never produce a strong national team,” he said.
For Nyamweya, the stakes are particularly high as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda and Tanzania.
He described Harambee Stars as a source of national pride and said continued poor performances would be particularly painful ahead of the continental tournament.
“It will be a national shame if we continue on this path ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations which we will be hosting for the first time,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Nyamweya ended his statement with an expression of faith in the national team.
“I love the Harambee Stars. I believe in the Harambee Stars,” he said.
“That is why I cry for my country, Kenya.”
