Rufftone wants to bring football stars Messi, Ronaldo to Kenya

Celebrated gospel singer Rufftone has launched a campaign to bring football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Kenya this year.

Rufftone says his initiative has been inspired by the desire to change the concept of football administration in the country – which according to him, has suffered mercurial management.

“I am deeply saddened by the situation of Kenyan football. There is a lot of talent in the country as there is dire football mismanagement in the country,” he said in an interview with Citizen Digital.

“For example, Kenya has churned top footballers like former Harambee Stars midfielder Mike Okoth; the father of Divock Origi – who plays for Belgium. Mr Okoth in the 90’s relocated to Belgium to play professional football; and was impressed by Belgium’s football management,” added the Mungu Baba star.

“Then emerged Musa Otieno who also sought greener pastures in South Africa; then followed Allan Wanga, Dennis Oliech, McDonald Mariga and Victor Mugubi Wanyama. They are all talented; so it will be wrong to say Kenya does not have gifted footballers.”

He justifies his gripe with Kenya’s football management to dallied football situation.

“The mismanagement of football welfare in the country has led to the stagnation of Kenya’s soccer. Football governing body in the country houses many selfish officials.”

The veteran artiste now says he will mobilize Kenyans to help him take to social media and invite 2015 Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, and the first runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo to encourage the youth who have lost hope in pursuing football as a career.

“I will mobilize Kenyans to invite Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to come and encourage young Kenyans that football pays; and that it is a career like any other – by doing so, Kenya’s football management will see the need to take the youths’ talent seriously,” said Rufftone, adding: “We cannot always live by the phrase ‘football does not pay’.”

“I’d love to see them (Messi and Ronaldo) instill confidence in our young footballers; ask them to dream that they (Kenyan footballers) can achieve greatness – as vast as theirs. I wish to invite them to Nyayo National Stadium where they will talk for one hour,” added the gospel bigwig.

“If we can front this initiative by mobilizing for their Kenyan visit through their social media handles, I believe that will come to pass. I solely rely on the unity of Kenyans and the favour of God to make this possible,” he concluded.