Kenyan football fans were inundated with jubilation when the nationaL team, Harambee Stars, qualified for the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt for the first time since 2004. The Afcon bonanza proved to be another transitory achievement as the country relapsed to the usual agony of a winless streak on the international stage soon after. The masterstroke earmarked Kenya's sixth appearance in the competition after the 1972, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 2004 editions. Fate played a role in the 2019 campaign trail as lady luck smiled on Harambee Stars when the Confederation of African Football suspended Sierra Leone from the qualifiers. The West African nation's disqualification disoriented Kenya's rivals Ethiopia after Fifa invoked a statute on October 5, 2018 to suspend Sierra Leone Football Association from all activities due to government interference.

Source: The Star January 01, 2021 01:52 UTC