As Ulinzi appeared certain winners of the 2010 KPL championships, I warned Kenyans to brace for a disappointing return to the CAF Champions League . I argued that the military side’s shoot-and-chase, bulldozer-approach of play stood no chance against polished African sides. I even suggested that the side could change its fortunes with acquisition of talented midfielders. (see my "Ulinzi Unstoppable" post).
Well, my grousing was vindicated three weeks ago, when a completely clueless and spineless Ulinzi side capitulated in the face of a marauding and ruthless Zamalek FC, one of the greatest teams on the African continent. When the final whistle was blown, the soldiers had conceded four goals without reply, making the return fixture a predictable formality.
On the eve of the match, the Kenyan champions had visited their superiors, where they received “military orders” to ensure victory against their Egyptian opponents, in other words, a win by all means - including keeper-to-striker passing.
In contrast, 2008 KPL champions Sofapaka conjured up an unlikely victory against Angolan established club AS Aviacao in the CAF Confederations Cup, drawing 0-0 in Angola and at home, before triumphing 5-4 in the resultant penalty shoot-out.
Today, Ulinzi returns to Nyayo National Stadium, where they received their football humiliation from Zamalek, this time to play FKL Cup winners Sofapaka in the Supersport Super Cup. I can, almost with one hundred per cent certainty, predict that the soldiers will bulldoze their way to another ‘famous’ victory against Sofapaka who, nonetheless, shall have out-played them in all departments.
God help Kenyan football.
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