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The former Mathare United player has revealed the logistical challenges faced by Harambee Stars at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunis.
Retired Harambee Stars midfielder Walter Odede has opened up about the challenges faced by the Kenyan national team during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
Kenya, making their first appearance after a 12-year hiatus, struggled with logistical issues even before their matches began, which Odede believes significantly impacted their performance.
Harambee Stars were placed in a tough Group B alongside Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso.
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Despite their best efforts, the team only managed a single win, exiting the tournament in the group stages.
The tournament began on a sour note with a demoralizing 3-0 loss to Mali, setting a challenging tone for the team.
However, Odede shared that the team's troubles began much earlier on their transit to the host country Tunisia.
"We arrived in Ghana and there was no one to receive us. We slept at the airport before a good Samaritan saw us and helped us," Odede recalled ina interview with Buzz Sports.
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The unexpected delay in Ghana due to the absence of a proper reception compounded the team's challenges, leaving them stranded and unprepared.
"He was Kenyan and had a pickup truck, so he carried us to a hotel in turns since we did not have transport. We had huge bags, and he even transported them in turns. It was stressful as a national team," Odede added.
This incident, according to Odede, was not just a minor hiccup but a significant disruption that affected the team's morale and readiness for the tournament.
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Harambee Stars were under the leadership of coach Jacob "Ghost" Mulee, who had taken over from Joe Kadenge in 2003.
Although Mulee was at the helm, the team still bore the imprint of veteran German coach Reinhard Fabisch, who had significantly shaped the squad's structure and strategy in previous years.
Reflecting on the experience, Odede emphasized the psychological toll such preparatory failures can take on a team.
"Arriving for such a major tournament under such circumstances was disheartening," he noted.
After their 2004 campaign it took another 15 years for Kenya to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations again.
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