President William Ruto has set the goal of reviving Kenyan sports and eventually hosting the 2030 World Cup and the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027).
These are very exciting targets that will focus our country on what is required to get us to these events, including but not limited to the establishment of state-of-the-art sporting facilities throughout the country, which is critical to the realisation of the Football Vision 2030 dream.
We start planning, we reflect first on the current World Cup, and the scent of the road for Africa.
With the Semi-Finals completed and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 drawing to a close, it is time to reflect on the performance of African competing teams. Senegal and Morocco qualified for the Round of 16 and semi-finals, respectively, for the first time in World Cup history. Tunisia and Cameroon beat France and Brazil 1-0 in their respective third group games after slow starts. Despite their valiant efforts, both teams' fates were out of their hands and depended on other outcomes. Both countries finished third in their respective groups.
Ghana started their tournament looking like the most promising outfit, and after dismantling South Korea in their second group game needed a draw against their 2010 foes, Uruguay, to see themselves qualify. Unfortunately, the occasion got the better of them and they never got a foothold in the game, with Uruguay seemingly wanting the win more. Ghana finished at the bottom of Group G. Senegal recovered from a matchday 1 loss to the Netherlands and saw off hosts Qatar and Ecuador to finish second. They matched up against England in the Round of 16 and were beaten 3-0.
Morocco proved to be the pride of both the African continent and the Arab world as they topped their group, beating Belgium and Canada on their way. The Round of 16 saw them face Spain, holding them scoreless and beating them 3-0 in a penalty shootout. Portugal were their next victims in the Quarterfinals, seeing off the Iberian side 1-0 in regular time and making Morocco the first African team to qualify for the semis, setting up a showdown with France. After conceding early in the game, the Atlas Lions dominated possession but were unable to break down the French defence and eventually bowed out 2-0 to the defending champions.
Overall, this can be considered a successful World Cup for African football, particularly when you consider that an extra qualification slot (10 guaranteed with an 11th playoff slot) was secured for the expansion 2026 North American World Cup.
We congratulate the African teams on their agility and sportsmanship at the World Cup Qatar 2022.
As we progress toward establishing sports centres of excellence, strengthening the creative industry, and promoting Kenya's rich cultural heritage, we welcome partnership ventures, investors, and capacity building opportunities.
