Harambee Stars ace Joseph Okumu calls for end to country's 'saddening' football state

Harambee Stars' fast rising defender Joseph Okumu has called on all responsible football stakeholders in the country to quickly work towards finding a way of lifting the indefinite suspension currently imposed on the country by world football governing body, FIFA.

Speaking in an interview with Nation, the lanky defender who plies his trade with Belgian top tier outfit KAA Gent, described the debilitating suspension in the country as 'saddening' as he empathized with those who are struggling as a result of the impasse that the former Chemelil Sugar man says could have been avoided.

Additionally, the defender who is reported to be on the radar of German bigwigs Borrusia Dortmund, also went on to state that the right structures should be put in place to reward the efforts of the players who lead the fight in the warzone.

"It is a tough situation that we find ourselves in currently. There are tonnes of players who are struggling just because of what is going on. The situation is saddening because these are things that could have been avoided. The only thing I can wish is that it be resolved as soon as possible and we have a structure that can support the players as well because we work so hard, so our efforts should be rewarded," the player said.

Having shot to fame after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Egypt after being given a chance in the national team following a serious injury to preferred starter Brian Mandela, Okumu explained how crucial a part the national team plays in giving exposure to unearthed talent.

"With our national team, we are fortunate that it exposed a couple of players and I am one of the beneficiaries. So it is key if we play because I am sure it will expose several other players as well," he said.

Since February 2022, Kenya has been in FIFA's bad books after the world football governing body adjudged that the government interfered with the activities of the Football Kenya Federation.

As a result, the country has been unable to take part in international competitions with the women's football side missing out on a possible chance to feature in the 2022 women's AFCON as a result of being denied the chance to take part in the last qualifier against Uganda.

The Harambee Starlets did also not participate in the just concluded CECAFA Senior Women's Championship.

Their men's counterpart on the other hand have not been given the opportunity to take part in the qualifiers of the 2023 AFCON tournament.