Underdogs? Why the Algeria, Kenya supremacy battle goes past the AFCON

Even as Harambee Stars wait to open the 2019 African Cup of Nation with their match against Algeria on Sunday, stakes have risen high as Kenyans are eager to see their very own team do their 1996 magic.

The awaited grueling tussle is going to be a very important match to the Kenyan side as they will be tasting the elite competition after 15 years, with the last being in 2004, when they were eliminated in the group stages.

Leave alone the AFCON tournament, Kenyans are excited to meet their once upon a time rival, Algeria, with a lot of tension though.

In particular, fans have spotted the June 1996 match when the national team met with the North African team in a 1998 pre-World Cup qualifier played at the Nyayo National Stadium in front of a 30,000 strong crowd.

Harambee stars did the unexpected when they thrashed the Desert Warriors 3-1. By then, Algeria were ranked 46 globally while Kenya were at the 104th position. What an unbelievable mismatch!

In January 1996, Algeria had made it to the quarterfinals of the AFCON that Kenya missed out on, but were eliminated by hosts South Africa.

On the day – 2 June 1996, Algeria fell to Kenya. The game ended in a barren draw in the first half but 13 minutes after the restart, Kenya Breweries (currently Tusker) defender Vincent Kwarula sent Kenya 1-0.

Henry Motego, Kwarula’s club mate, then slotted in a penalty on 67 minutes to double the lead. Ten minutes to time, Algeria got exactly what they wanted – an away goal via by Zerrouki.

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Former Harambee Stars player Henry Motego

Musa Otieno then rewarded Kenya with a sealing goal to sink the visitor’s dream, making the match end 3-1.

That moment is what has inspired Harambee Stars and are praying for history to repeat itself as they will be looking forward to going past the group stages this time around.

I still remember this match very well, the Algeria​n coach had said there is no football in East Africa and so Algeria will beat Kenya with a big margin, but to much to his shame Algeria was beaten 3-1 by harambee stars in Nairobi and still Algeria could not turn the tables in Algeria they drew 1-1even when harambee stars were down by one man.

Can our current Harambee Stars do the same this coming Sunday?

 

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