By Otieno Otieno
A few days to the highly billed 2014 World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Nigeria, Goal.com looks at the current fortunes of some of the former Harambee Stars players, who played a key role in the country’s famous 1-1 draw against a star-studded Super Eagles in 1998 World Cup qualifier before a fully packed crowd Kasarani Stadium.
The team under the tutelage of the late German tactician Reinhardt Fabisch, took the lead against the then Olympic champions midway through the first half courtesy of (RIP) striker Ken Simiyu’s header, with Jonathan Akpoborie equalizing for Nigeria in the 50th minute.
With the exception of two players, Ken Simiyu and John Lichuku, who have since passed away, some members of the national team are still actively engaged in football in one way or another.
| FRANCIS ONYISO |
After that stunning performance against Nigeria, Onyiso played for a long time for Ulinzi Stars and the national team before retiring. He is currently working as a goalkeeper trainer for the army side. Furthermore, he is a driver in the Kenya Defence Force (KDF), where he holds the rank of sergeant in the Kenyan military.
| MUSA OTIENO |
DEFENCE KINGPIN | Former Harambee Stars defender Musa Otieno (left) in action.
'Otero' as he is popularly known captained Kenya for more than ten years before hanging his boots three years ago. He played for Sanlam Santos in South Africa for more than ten years and is currently a member of the team's technical bench. Otieno also worked briefly as an assistant coach of Harambee Stars in 2011. There are reports that Otieno is considering resettling in Nairobi from his Cape Town base.
| MOHAMMED SHARRIF |
He played in the midfield against Nigeria in 1997 and retired five years after that famous result. Sharrif lives in Machakos where he works as a youth coach helping young talented children to nurture their football talent and hopefully wishing that one day, the players he is working will follow in his footsteps.
Tom Ogweno
After retiring from top flight side Ulinzi, Ogweno was hired as team manager of Gor Mahia but he didn't last for long leaving to join champions Tusker where he is currently doubling up as manager and trainer. Ogweno together with the late Ken Simiyu were the main strikers against Nigeria in 1997. Other members of the 1997 team were Maurice Wambua, John ‘Baresi’ Odhiambo, Eric 'Cantona' Ochieng and Eric ‘Tojo’ Omondi.