KENYA is the focus of attention of the football world as the coveted solid-gold Fifa World Cup trophy finally landed in the country yesterday. The trophy - the ultimate symbol of football supremacy - was unveiled at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by President Kibaki, who was all joy in symbolically lifting it. Oops it was so embarrassing the Prime Minister who was also present was not allowed to share the joy by touching it. But its only the president who is allowed to lay his/her hands on it.

Despite chances that Kenya’s Harambee Stars will be on parade at next year’s World Cup where the 18-carat trophy will spark fierce contests by the world’s most talented footballers being minimal, President Kibaki, who said the arrival of the trophy in the country was a historic moment, was confident that it heralded great things to come in the promotion and development of sports in the country.

For the first time the president commented on the country rotten soccer status, this is what he said, “I urge the Harambee Stars and its technical bench to be inspired by the trophy’s presence in the country and give their best shot when they play the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match in Nairobi tomorrow, at which a win would see them qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola,” we all concur with Kibaki, may it win. Its such a shame to also miss Angola if not SA.

He added, “I look forward to a good report from this game. By the same token, I urge football-loving Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to cheer our team to victory.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who asked soccer lovers to turn up in large numbers to cheer Harambee Stars. Only 36,000 tickets are on sale for the number of people allowed to the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani. The rest you can cheer up the team from your houses.