Soccer in Kenya

Riot on the Field

A soccer game is supposed to end in victory for one team and defeat for another . . . or a tie more often than not.  What’s not supposed to happen is the very thing we experienced—an abandoned game due to some unnecessary stone throwing and rioting.  Back in February, we were at a match in Kawangwari: Nairobi City Stars vs. the AFC Leopards, and it ended just this way.  Our team (the City Stars) scored, and next thing we knew, the fence around the perimeter of the field was being torn down.  It was like nothing I have experienced.  The kids rushed the field first, and from there things went a bit south.  We ran over towards the locker-room building for a little cover as the stones started coming down.   Apparently we didn’t know that its kosher to come to a futbol match with stones in your pocket.  Sometimes the things I don’t know surprise me.  While we were never in any real danger (no one got hurt as the police quieted things quickly), it was a bit frustrating/sad to realize that this wasn’t even really about soccer . . . and a good game had gotten interrupted.  Anyways, as we’ve quickly found out, there is never a dull moment in Kenya—especially when it comes to futbol! 

Kucheza impira

You learn things about yourself in many different ways, but going to another country is a sure fire way to learn some new things about yourself in fast forward speed. Playing sports (in competition, winning-losing situation) is another way to “know thyself” better. So playing soccer (football) in a foreign country has been, well, a stretching experience! Having been asked to play with a local women’s club team I have got to have a firsthand experience of African football. Some things are the same: the ball is still round, J the coach still wants you to run and not walk and using your hands on the field is not kosher.  However as the Kiswahili flows around me and the ball bounces high above me (they love playing it in the air) I am reminded that I am “not in Kansas (Chattanooga) anymore”.  Blending in on the field is no longer an option either . . .so I know who the opposing fans are yelling at when I hear stuff about the muzungu. As play catch up trying to follow new techniques and strategies I also have the opportunity to practice patience and fight against the instinctive egocentric mind-set of, we-do-it-better-back-home. Hmmmm . . . however, fun is fun, and playing soccer with this welcoming team of girls has definitely been fun!

Kenya vs. Tunisia

Rain.  Pushing and Shoving.  American flag.  What is the common denominator?  Well, they were all present at the World-Cup qualifying match we attended on Saturday.  We frequent Nyayo stadium fairly often to support our favorite Kenyan Premier league team, the Nairobi City Stars, but this was a bit of a different experience . . . mostly because the stadium was maxed out to capacity, and the stakes were altogether higher.  It was a small miracle that we made it in the stadium before game time (without being trampled) . . . thanks to Karis we chose the right line when the rain started pouring.  And, some of the fans sitting in front of us showed up with an American flag because as the Kenyans like to say, “Obama is my cousin,” so surely our flag has a place at Kenya vs. Tunisia.  Right? As Karis so aptly put it, “I didn’t know America was playing.” Unfortunately, Kenya did not come out victorious, but at least we did get a chance to celebrate one goal.   Overall, it was another cultural, fun, and wet experience.  Between the six of us we had a grand total of two umbrellas and no raincoats.  You would think we’d have learned our lesson by now.