The story behind Kenya's 13-2 defeat to the Black Stars in 1965

Published on: 15 May 2019
The story behind Kenya's 13-2 defeat to the Black Stars in 1965
Former Harambee Stars coach Peter Oronge.

Kenya's national football team Harambee Stars once lost 13-2 to Ghana's Black Stars in a match attended by First President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. 

The match was played on December 12, 1965, at Jamhuri Park Stadium to celebrate Kenya's first Jamhuri Day celebrations.

Nation reported that huge loss was attributed to the then head coach Peter Oronge, who abandoned the team just four hours to the match.

Football Kenya Federation hurriedly appointed Ray Bachelor but he could not save the team from embarrassment.

At that time, the Black Stars were the reigning African champions which was a pointer to the optimism and ambition of the newly independent country.

Kenya's team comprised Joseph Were, Tom Sabuni, Jonathan Niva, Anthony Mukabwa, Moses Wabwai, Joseph Okeyo, John Rabuongi, Nicodemus Arudhi, William Chege Ouma, James Asibwa and Moses Ambani.

The goals started raining in before five minutes were up. Kenya’s nightmare took the form of a man named Ben Acheampong who was the Black Stars striker.

Ten minutes before half time, he alone had shaken the Kenyan net four times.

During the match, Kenyatta was reported to have asked, "“Where is Kipchoge to run around with these people?”

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