NAIROBI, July 2 – Kenya slipped three places in the latest Fifa rankings released for the month of June dropping to 105th. Speaking to Capital Sport, Football Kenya Limited (FKL) Technical Director Patrick Naggi attributed the drop to the declining football standards in the country pointing an accusing finger to the soccer mismanagement in the country, which over the years has dogged the sport and contributed to its maligning development.
Naggi who is charged with providing technical know how, on developing and improving the sport in the country, said the country lacks the requisite programmes needed to develop the sport.
“As a country we are doing nothing to help our young talents, and improving standards, it’s very disappointing for our country because as we speak we are pre-occupied with other things other than our core mandate,” Naggi explained
Due to the poor rankings, Kenya’s upcoming stars cannot join plum league clubs in Europe, as strict regulations restrict the clubs to signing players from countries that are ranked from number seventy two downwards.
Kenya’s neighbours are all in the top 100 list, Uganda is ranked a favorable 75th and claim 15th position in the continent, Tanzania claim position 97, and are ranked 23rd in the continent, in the continental rankings Kenya claim the 27th position.
Kenya’s highest ranking dates back to last year December, when the country rose upto 68th after an impressive show by Harambee Stars who came in second in Group 2 and progressed to the current second group phase.
Naggi observed that there will be no respite to the problems until they are dealt with by development minded Kenyans.
“From the streets if you ask anyone, everyone knows what needs to be done, the question is when do we stop the talking and actually start working,” He opined.
Meanwhile, at the top, the rankings have rattled the so called best in the world; the samba boys have leapfrogged the Spanish, after Brazil won the Confederations Cup last week in South Africa.
The Dutch are third followed closely by the Azzuri, and closing the top five is Germany.
Africa’s crème-de-la crème will be Cote d’Ivoire who are 18th world over.