Why Harambee Stars had no Gor Mahia or AFC Leopards players at 2004 AFCON

Kenya is among the African countries that rarely qualifies for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Harambee Stars has made it to the continental showpiece three times so far since its inception, doing so in 1990, 2004 and 2019. 

Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, among the most successful clubs in the country, have on numerous occasions produced star players like Washington Muhanji, Paul Were, Mike Otieno, and Francis Kahata who went on to play for the national team at the AFCON. 

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However, very few individuals, particularly those born at the start of the 21st century have any idea regarding why the two clubs did not send any player to the prestigious tournament at the 2004 edition.

The answer is simple. No player from either Ingwe or K’Ogalo was good enough in the eyes of the then Harambee Stars head coach Jacob Ghost Mulee.

The two clubs were experiencing a lot of struggles on and off the pitch at that period. In fact K’Ogalo only managed two wins at the final half of the 2003 - 2004 season, ending their campaign at the bottom of the league standings.

The current league leaders were even supposed to be relegated but fortunately the unification of the league saved them the embarrassment.

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Similar to Gor Mahia, their arch-rivals Ingwe had also sunk to shameful depths in the early 2000s and were also on the verge of being relegated. 

The poor organization among AFC Leopards officials and the constant fights over power witnessed caused agony to the Ingwe supporters. 

The club hit rock bottom between 2004 and 2006 when it found itself in the relegation zone. In 2005, AFC Leopards was relegated from the league but backroom deals ensured its survival.

As destiny would have it, Ingwe ended up being relegated to the lower division in 2006 before returning to the top flight league in 2007 thanks to the disqualification of Mahakama FC, who won the second division that season.

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Harambee Stars to the 2004 AFCON tournament

Goalkeepers

Duncan Ochieng - Mathare United

Francis Onyiso - Ulinzi Stars

Willis Ochieng - Free State Stars (South Africa)

Defenders

Moses Gikenyi - St. Michel United (Seychelles)

Issa Kassim - Mumias Sugar

Philip Opiyo - Free State Stars (South Africa)

Musa Otieno - Santos (South Africa)

Adam Shaban - Mathare United

Andrew Oyombe - Tusker FC

Japtheth Waweru - Tusker FC

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Midfielders

Emmanuel Ake - AB Copenhagen (Denmark)

Tom Juma - Friska Viljor (Sweden)

Robert Mambo - KAA Gent (Belgium)

Anthony Mathenge - Thika United

John Muiruri - KAA Gent (Belgium)

Titus Mulama - Mathare United

Walter Odede - Mathare United

Strikers

Mike Okoth - Heusden Zolder (Belgium)

James Omondi - Thika United

John Baraza - IK Slyvia (Sweden)

Dennis Oliech - Al Arabi (Qatar)

Maurice Sunguti - Friska Viljor (Sweden)