Kenya made an appearance at the 2004 Africa nations’ cup which was 14 years since they had made their last appearance.
19-year-old Dennis Oliech was by far Kenya’s main man after he single-handedly dragged the team into the finals after scoring all three goals in the 2003 qualifier against Cape Verde to top the group.
The tournament remains to be Kenya’s best ever showing at a major tournament regarding the fact that the boys were pitted with two of African football’s heavyweights in Senegal and Mali.
On matchday one, Kenya opened the campaign on a rather poor note after going down 3-1 to Frederick Kanoute’s Mali.
A defensive mix-up arose when Japhet Waweru hesitated to make a defensive clearance and Mali’s Sissoko pounced to place his effort well ahead of custodian Francis Onyiso.
Kenya had an equalizer via Titus Mulama’s volley immediately after the restart but it could last barely two minutes as Kanoute restored Mali’s lead.
Soumali Coulibaly would get Mali’s third following sustained pressure.
In complete contrast to their toil and creation of chances in the first match of the tournament, Kenya could not prevent an excellent Senegal side after conceding three times without a reply.
A Mamadou Niang brace and a Pape Boupa Diop effort condemned Kenya to a bitter defeat.
All goals were scored in the first half as Kenya failed to find ways of stopping the West African nation as well as finding a way through their disciplined defense.
Coach Jacob Ghost Mulee decided to unleash all of his manpower in the last match against Burkina Faso and the boys put in a very complete performance to win by a three-goal margin.
Playing for pride, Kenya got their goals through Emmanuel Ake, the excellent Dennis Oliech and John Baraza.
The first half had finished goalless with Kenya showing more intend to take all three points but never finding a way past the Burkinabe defence.
The 2004 performance at the Africa Nations Cup was by far Kenya’s best showing at a major tournament but sadly, it has been 14 years on and there has been no other appearance at the continental showpiece again.
The appointment of current coach Sebastien Migne was accompanied with lots of expectations as Kenyan fans believe he will be the man to relive the long-lost glory in Kenyan football.
It will be great if he does make it to the finals with the team and break the jinx of not being able to ever make it past the group stages.
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