Controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna on Monday ruffled feathers on social media after posting distasteful remarks on why Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars cannot win matches.
It all started after Harambee Stars went down 2-0 to Algeria in their opening Group C match at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
“Football/soccer teams like Harambee Stars whose players are oppressed, exploited and depressed cannot prevail over players from more liberated and enlightened countries. It starts in the head. Let us liberate Kenya from the despots before we can become victorious, “ Miguna posted.
He added that, “Algerians are on the streets in their millions executing a revolution against despots while Kenyans are cheering their tyrants. Victory in soccer requires brain work: calculation, strategy, coordination, and tactics. Not possible in despotic states".
However, in a rejoinder, a lot of Stars supporters told off Miguna noting that the firebrand politician needed to leave politics off certain matter like sports.
Others asserted that it was their duty as citizens to stand with the national team even when they are losing and exuded confidence that the Stars would emerge victorious in their next two fixtures.
Nonetheless, as is usually the case with the exiled lawyer, he told off his critics and resolved to educate them even further.
“You beg to differ with no facts. This is not Pastor Ng'ang'a's church. Victory in soccer requires calculation, strategy, coordination and excellent brain work. These cannot be found in a repressive state where all you do every day is cheer killers and con-men,” Miguna retorted.
“Let me educate you, slowly. Bad governance and repression causes material deprivations, mental and emotional depressive state. They curtail social development which results in poor performance,” he added while quoting a reference from the book, “The Politics of Sports Development “.
Stars, who made their way to the continental showpiece for the first time in 15 years, found a tough going as first-half goals from Baghdad Bounedjah and an own goal by Abud Omar is all that the North Africans needed to dim them.
Here are some reactions from Kenyans on Miguna’s remarks:
