Mwendwa says no Moroccan regret as bid falls short

Jacob Icia is reporting from Moscow, Russia

Football Kenya Federation said there was a bit of last-minute uncertainty about Morocco’s chances for its World Cup bid but maintained he has no regrets for standing with them all the way to the ballot.

Morocco were defeated by United States, Canada and Mexico after the North African kingdom’s bid was outvoted 134-65 during Wednesday’s FIFA Congress held in Moscow, Russia.

Along with Kenya, 41 African countries voted for Morocco but its push to become only the second country in Africa to host football’s biggest competition ultimately fell short.

FKF boss Mwendwa summarized the loss as a well learnt lesson, a test of fidelity to a brother and a usual phenomenon in competitions.

“There was a feeling of uncertainty towards the last days of lobbying. Very few competitors go to the ballot without knowing they are losing or winning, and there was that feeling the three-nation joint bid was better placed.

“We however chose to keep our word. Africa said would rally behind Morocco, and that is what majority did. Kenya knows well when we will need our African brothers in such as an endeavour, there will be no reason to shy away from knocking friends doors including Morocco.

A sense of disunity was easily shown in the ballot for the African states, as over 10 of them voted against the African wave.

Valuable Lesson

While Mwendwa admits such was could not have been avoided citing a crack on mama Africa, the IT professional conceded a lot has to be done in Africa to match European and American nations’ sporting infrastructure.

“Look, these United bid states have already 16 stadiums ready for World Cup as early as now. They strongly used that argument in their submissions to delegates, and surely convinced bearing in mind only a few repairs to upgrade them. While most of African countries are very ready to host big tournaments in terms of hospitality facilities, Africa is always ready but without standard stadiums,” the former Kariobangi Sharks FC president said.

According to Mwendwa, Kenya can learn a lot from the two bids before today’s (election). We attempted 2018 Chan, and we know how difficult it was especially when the deadline was fast approaching without significant progress.

He recalled, “Carefully studying the two bids, the FA heads had the entire country behind them, including the Government. That is what we need to do back in Kenya, where we grow vocal in building just we grow vocal in criticizing each other for unfulfilled dreams,” he observed.

Good news is FIFA passing an increment of the annual grants to member federations, with a cool 100 million during the Congress in Moscow.