The UEFA champions league final has a lot at stake more so for the Kenya lovers of; Liverpool's Divock Origi and Tottenham HotSpur's Victor Wanyama.
Both players have one mission; to bag Europe's most coveted club football competition title.
While it's MacDonald Mariga; the only Kenya player to have lifted the trophy with Inter Milan in 2009; Madrid offers another chance for two Kenyans to have a feel of the trophy albeit, one will have a true touch of the trophy while another will 'kula kwa macho'.
Will it be Mariga's brother big Vic or Kenya born Belgian and son to former Kenya striker Mike Okoth?
Choosing who deserves throws everything into disarray more so, for Liverpool diehards who feel that the English Premier League (EPL) has evaded them hence, the Champions League trophy will be a consolation.
As the debate continues on who deserves; I write that, apart from playing well, you also need the luck to prevail in football.
Ask Wanyama's Spurs against all odds they are in final! Thus, do not be surprised when they lift the trophy; but again this 'long 'ear lobes' trophy is discriminative and the darling of few teams: Real, Milan, Ajax, Liverpool, Bayern, Barca, Inter, United, Benfica, Nottingham; Juve, Porto, Celtic, Aston Villa, and Chelsea. These are but a few of decorated sides that have touched the cup! But where are they? Only Liverpool made it.
The duel will be a replica of 2008 Luzhniki, an all-English final, where dominant Chelsea lost to United in the penalty shootout! It was by luck that United won.
Forget Liverpool's frustration of EPL! The UCL has been theirs. Five times winners! No team can stand in awe of Liverpool in English soil lest United and Nottingham combine their effort to match the Reds.
After evoking the spirit of Istanbul's against Barca on Tuesday to reach the final the comeback puts Liverpool on an upper hand.
In addition, there are teams that this trophy does favour and one of them is the Reds.
Ask the Gunners in 2006 final against the Catalans, they had the 'invincibles' at their disposal but they couldn't prevail. Manchester City attempt of prevailing in UCL has been dealt a blow several times despite hiring Pep to do the Italian Job and it has been a mirage for Benfica when it comes to finals! Thanks to lady luck not smiling on their face.
I hope that the Yid Army or the COYS; will have the Midas touch to make big Vic smile!
For now, Hasta la vista! (see you later) in Madrid.
#hivisasaoriginal