Shikanda:Kenyans should exercise patience with the government amid talks with FIFA

AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda has called upon local football supporters to be patient with the government as it continues to engage world football governing body FIFA in a bid to get the lasting solution over lifting of Kenya’s suspension from all soccer activities.

In March this year,FIFA ratified Kenya’s suspension during its 72nd congress held in Doha, Qatar and Shikanda is optimistic the country will be reinstated soon following vigorous efforts being employed by Sports Cabinet Secretary Dr Amina Mohamed.

“The government through the Ministry of sports and the Minister want the best for football, kindly let’s be patient and focused.I know everybody has their take on what should be done or what is right at this particular moment but what is best for all of us will take time to be achieved and implemented.Our minister is a tough negotiator and she’s been in constant communication with Gianni Infantino led office and all will be well soon” he remarked.

The 52 year old veterinary doctor who defied all odds to play for both perennial arch-rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia hailed the move by CS Amina to form FKF transition committee to oversee running of country’s football operations in the next five weeks.

“As football stakeholders patience will be key as we navigate through this tough times.Let’s not throw the rule of law out of the window and assume there is no order or authority as we purpose to finish the league and authorities seek way forward especially in solving the impasse surrounding our suspension from FIFA” added Shikanda.

The former national team Harambee Stars player honed his skills at amateur side Black Mamba in the dusty Jericho grounds in 1983, before being lured by Leopards officials to join the club while still a university student.

He supported CS Amina’s previous sentiments to FIFA, to allow the country to clean up the sport.

In February this year two days after Infantino announced Kenya and Zimbabwe had been suspended indefinitely due to government interference, Amina said she will continue engaging Fifa with a view to finding a lasting solution.

“We will continue cleaning up, putting systems of accountability in place as well as a draft constitution that is fully aligned to the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Fifa statutes and to good order and globally recognised values,” she affirmed.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) was dissolved in November last year by the Ministry of Sports over misappropriation of funds with a caretaker committee appointed to run the affairs of Kenyan football.

Kenya was drawn in an arguably easy Group C of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

According to the draws conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa, Kenya will clash with Burundi, Namibia and five-time winners Cameroon.

The top two teams in the group will join the rest from 11 other pools at the Afcon finals in Ivory Coast from June 23 to July 23.

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