Kenyan footballers have expressed their anger after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa said that there was no football talent in the country.
Mwendwa said that lack of talent was the reason why team Kenya was knocked out of the world cup qualifiers.
In an interview with a local TV station, Mwendwa could not explain how Kenya lost 6-0 to Mali.
Mwendwa said that Harambee stars lacked quality players to perform at the highest stages.
“Even if you bring Jose Mourinho, even if you bring Mikel Arteta… the work that needs to be done is that we need to bring talents to the table. For you to win, you need quality players,” explained the football boss.
The comment elicited reactions among football fans as well as players who called for the termination of Mendwa’s services.
“I’m appalled by FKF President @Nmwendwa sentiments made on live Tv that Kenya has no talented football players to compete with other nations. This is an insult & disrespect to the current ,former & all upcoming footballers who have continuously suffered playing #NickMwendwaMustGo,” Macdonald Mariga said on Twitter.
Another player who sought anonymity in an interview with the People Daily Newspaper said that such comments should not come from a person whose responsibility is to improve the football standards of the country.
“It’s a disgrace for the president to comment in such a way, given that players work each and every day to yield positive results, it is uncalled-for and unnecessary,” the player said.
Former Harambee stars vice chair Twaha Mubarak on his side blamed Mwendwa for the team’s poor performance.
“I have followed with disbelief the statements by Mwendwa following the double loss to Mali and instead of coming out and taking up the responsibility for the ineptitude of the federation, is making nonsensical remarks,” Twaha said.
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