A Youtube screengrab of Francis Kahata about to score against Nigeria from a freekick in March 2013 during a 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match played in Nigeria. | image source: youtube.com
Until that Saturday afternoon on March 23 2015, Kenyan had gone almost 30 years without scoring a goal on Nigerian soil.
The only Kenyan player to have scored in Nigeria against the 3-time AFCON champions until then is without doubt largely unknown even among the most ardent of Nigerian football fans as he is long-forgotten among Kenyans. The high follicle density on JJ Masiga's face would have had him easily pass for a Pete Edochie doppelganger among Nigerians or an Anyang' Nyong'o lookalike among Kenyans rather than be immediately identified as Kenya's goalscorer in a 3-1 defeat away to Nigeria on April 20 1985 during a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifier match in what was also Kenya's first visit to Nigeria.
Since that day, Kenya's next five visits to the West African nation saw them enter the pitch with their tails already tucked between their legs before a 3-0 defeat was confirmed at the end of the encounter in each of those five occasions.
However there was something different in the air on that day in Calabar. On that occasion the build-up to the match had served to instill some confidence and defiance in the Kenyans. Kenya may have arrived in Nigeria early enough to prepare for their crunch 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification tie but from the look of things they did not land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at a good time.
They landed at a time when all NFF officials must have been enjoying jollof rice and therefore there was no one to receive at the airport. Because jollof rice is such a precious delicacy, no one leaves his/her phone on lest they receive a call and the person on the other end invite himself/herself to the dining table once they get a hunch jollof rice is being devoured at the other end. Kenya left stranded at the airport and when they finally left the place, their destination betrayed their expectations.
They were booked into, according to an article on goal.com, a tw0-star hotel and because they were the least important people in Lagos, their status as national football team was overlooked as they were offered the dusty playground of Ajao Estate Primary School as a training ground. From that it was clear that whoever scripted Harambee Stars misery at that time must have had visions of newspaper headlines reading, "Super Eagles Ease Past Kenyan School Children."
PHOTOS: Harambee Stars training at Ajao Estate Primary School in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State. | images' source: goal.com
When photos of Dennis Oliech and co. jogging around the clases at Ajao Estate Primary School surfaced online, the reaction of #KOT was like that of a meteorite hitting earth. Battle-starved #KOT came out of their "barracks" breathing fire and savagely attacked their Nigerian counterparts with witty jibes and memes which definitely increased demand for towels in the West African nation so that they could wipe the eggs off their faces.
The battle between the two nations on Twitter had heightened the stakes in the match. Other than the fact that they were coming up against the then reigning African champions as well as wanting to revive their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes, Harambee Stars was also playing for their pride and dignity.
As Nigeria stepped out to a glittering trophy they had lifted months earlier in South Africa as well as a partisan and jovial crowd, Harambee Stars was in no way daunted by the intimidating atmosphere that the presence of the AFCON trophy was meant to spark.
The U. J. Esuene stadium was silenced in 37th minute when Francis Kahata curled in a freekick that Vincent Enyeama would have struggled to prevent going in even if he had started diving a month before. The goalkeeper would later hail Kahata's effort as one of the best goals he had ever let in adding that never in his wildest dreams had he expected such skill from a Kenyan. From his experience, it was only a South American that could pull what Kahata did that day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=f-piJeDjVbk#t=2764
VIDEO: Kahata's goal against Nigeria.
For the remaining 53 minutes Kenya looked on course to for a maiden win against Nigeria and more so at a territory where defeat for Nigeria was still virgin.
Even though Nnamdi Oduamadi would save face for Nigeria with a last minute volley, Kenya still left the pitch with their heads held high. The draw was like a victory for Kenya and without doubt, unlike Masiga, Kahata's name will ring long in minds of Nigerians.