Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has revealed that he used to play for the African Football Giants Zamalek.
Speaking when he met Harambee Stars team ahead of AFCON kick off, Raila said that he is not new in Cairo, Egypt.
Raila also recalled his days at the place when he used to play for the team. He reminded the players that President Uhuru Kenyatta had asked him to greet them.
The opposition leader also revealed that he would remain in Cairo until he watches the match between the Kenyan side and Algeria on Sunday.
“Mimi nina furaha kufika Cairo. Nimetoka Nairobi jana usiku na nimekuja kwa sababu ya nyinyi. Naleta salamu kutoka Nairobi. Kwanza nilikuwa na rais Uhuru Kenyatta akaniambia nikifika nilete salamu zake. Tena nitabaki hapa mpaka mtecheza machi ya kwanza. Mimi ni mtu wa Cairo. Nilikuja hapa nikiwa mtoto mdogo sana sasa nimekuwa mzee, baba. Hapo Zamalek ndo mimi nilikuwa naishi. I am a life member of the Zamalek football club. I played there,” he said amid cheers from the players.
(I am happy to arrive in Cairo. I left Nairobi yesternight, and I came because of you. I brought greetings from Nairobi. First, I met President Uhuru Kenyatta, and he told me to convey his greetings. I will be around until you play your first match. Cairo is my home. I came here when I was a small kid, and now I am old. I used to stay at Zamalek. I am a life member of the Zamalek football club. I played there)
In the meantime, Harambee Stars Captain has expressed confidence that the team will perform well during the contest. He warned opponents against undermining the Kenyan side.
“We are viewed as underdogs, but football has changed, and teams have proved that before. We respect our opponents a lot, but it will not be easy for them at all. It’s a motivation for us to be in the finals for the first time, and we are looking to give a good account of ourselves. It’s an opportunity for us to learn more from the finals,” Wanyama said as quoted by Standard.