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Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee has revealed why getting Kenya to qualify for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations was among two best moments of his coaching career.
Former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has opened up on why he feels leading Kenya to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) remains one of the proudest achievements of his career.
In a recent interview on the Oga Obinna show, Mulee reminisced about his journey to AFCON, acknowledging that the achievement, alongside Kenya’s first-ever win at the same same tournament, holds a unique place in his heart.
Mulee’s career with the Harambee Stars spans five stints, starting in 2003 when he first led Kenya to AFCON 2004 in Tunisia. Though he had successful spells with Tusker, APR, and Tanzania’s Yanga, including three Kenya Premier League titles with the brewers, it was his guidance of Harambee Stars to AFCON 2004 that he cherishes most.
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06:45 - 06.11.2024
Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee Shares humorous tale on how he humbled Emmanuel Adebayor-inspired Togo 3-0 during his first Harambee Stars stint
Mulee has hilariously reconted how he managed to upstage Togo, inspired by legendary former striker Emmanuel Adebayor in 2002 during his first ever stint in charge of Harambee Stars at Kasarani.
Reflecting on Kenya’s path to qualification, Mulee described the determination of the team, despite numerous challenges. Kenya topped a group that included Togo, Mauritania, and Cape Verde—nations that have since risen to prominence in African football.
Mulee credited the players’ perseverance, particularly in the face of adversity, noting how striker Dennis Oliech’s thunderous goal against Cape Verde in a packed Kasarani Stadium sealed their place in the tournament.
“When Dennis scored that screamer against Cape Verde, I saw someone jumping from the upper tier of the stadium to come and celebrate that goal down. Football is too emotional,” Mulee shared.
“Qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations because that was the ultimate aim. When I took the job, I knew that I had to qualify for the tournament else people would judge me badly because I was young.”
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14:54 - 08.11.2024
Harambee Stars assistant coach explains why Kenya lost to South Sudan Sudan in CHAN 2024 qualifier
Harambee Stars had already secured a ticket to next year's showpiece by being co-hosts, but still took part in the qualifiers against South Sudan, where they lost 3-1 on aggregate
With the guidance of veterans like Michael Origi Okoth, Musa Otieno, and Dennis Oliech, Kenya triumphed against various odds. Mulee recalled having to personally fund the team’s expenses during a qualifier against Cape Verde, as players dealt with late travel arrangements, lack of funds, and organizational disarray.
Yet the “Roho Juu” (loosely translated to “playing with heart”) mentality carried them through. Oliech, only 19 at the time, emerged as the breakout star, scoring the decisive goal in the final qualifier.
The 2004 squad symbolized resilience, with players from diverse backgrounds, such as Emmanuel Ake, who Mulee discovered in Mombasa and who was playing professionally in Denmark for AB Copenhagen. Led by Otieno, Kenya’s most capped player, the defensive lineup was anchored with determination, while Francis Onyiso commanded the goal with assurance.
Arriving in Tunisia, the Harambee Stars were placed in a challenging group, facing African giants Mali and Senegal. Though Kenya fell to both teams, they secured their first-ever AFCON win by defeating Burkina Faso 3-0 in their final game—a historic moment for Kenyan football.
“Qualifying for the tournament was something, and then gaining our first ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations was also something else and a very good moment,” Mulee reflected on the pride in guiding Kenya to their first AFCON victory.
Kenya’s journey also garnered international attention, with the team receiving invitations to play in Qatar and England, where they faced Premier League side Bolton Wanderers. This exposure allowed Mulee’s players, particularly young talents like Oliech, to be noticed by top clubs in Europe.
As Mulee wrapped up his tenure with Harambee Stars, he left a legacy defined by grit, unbreakable team spirit, and historic achievements.
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