What team were you supporting at the beginning of the World Cup? What team are you supporting now?
Brazil sadly. (Sigh) They let me down. I think they let lots of people down, especially most of Brazilian population.
Now, France not because they won last night (Tuesday) but because I was watching them play in the quarter finals and I thought it’s gonna be France. Seriously, they are good.
How many matches have you watched so far?
50 per cent at home or at functions.
Favourite setting for catching the World Cup? Drink of choice? Meal of choice?
Coffee or a dawa (hot lemon, ginger, honey) at home with the family while getting my wife to watch some soccer. Initially, she was hesitant but she was shouting and screaming more than anyone else during the Nigeria match. She has been watching most of the games with me now.
Favourite moment of World Cup?
Ronaldo’s free kick and the Russian goalkeepers save during the penalties against Spain. When he dived and saved the penalty with his leg.
What is your view on the performance of African teams at the World Cup?
They tried. But for us it was so sad not having an African team through to the quarter finals. The Nigerian game was probably the highlight of depression.
They got scored with what? … four minutes to go? Aargh! they did so well.
We need to develop soccer in the continent. You look at those French players and some of them come from Africa, same as some of the Belgian players.
Why are they not playing for our side of the cup? There is something wrong even in my country where I come from South Africa, we have a problem with soccer. Then Senegal played.
What can corporates and other entities do to boost the performance and talent development of African teams?
We have Copa which has been running for the last 16 or 17 years in schools. From a school perspective, we are doing a lot with soccer. But something happens when they get to the next level at university and I don’t think there is a real system to keep them within the country.
Look at some of the great players Kenya has lost to the world including Victor Wanyama. That is great talent but somehow we lost it.
We have the talent but we lose it when we get to a national level.
We do what we can from a corporate perspective, school children development, give them a national tournament to play against each other and an award system.
I think the government needs to come together with private entities to see how we can keep soccer players within the country.
Wanja Gikonyo CEO, Betway Kenya
What team were you supporting at the beginning of the World Cup? What team are you supporting now?
Belgium. They did quite well until yesterday. Now I am not sure maybe Croatia.
How many matches have you watched so far? Ten matches.
Favourite setting for catching the World Cup? Drink of choice? Meal of choice? Kengeles Lavington. Whisky or wine depending on my mood and finger food.
Favourite moment of World Cup? Belgium versus Japan game. When Belgium came from two- nil down and scored the third goal! There was no sitting down for that match.
What is your view on the performance of African teams at the World Cup?
Low. I expected a bit more but they tried. There was an upset in this World Cup even big teams including Germany went home.
What can corporates and other entities do to boost the performance and talent development of African teams?
There is need for support for talent searches, soccer camps and trainings and also get them playing on global standard soccer pitches. This means upgrade of facilities. The support must be consistent not one off. We also bring in international coaches to train the players.
Ronald Karauri SportPesa CEO
What team were you supporting at the beginning of the World Cup? What team are you supporting now?
Argentina. Now, France.
How many matches have you watched so far?
Almost all, except the first few.
Favourite setting for catching the World Cup? Drink of choice? Meal of choice?
At a bar with friends. A snack and beer.
Favourite moment of World Cup?
The last minute goal by Belgium during their game against Japan.
What is your view on the performance of African teams at the World Cup?
They have a long way to go. Ability is there but technical experience is lacking.
What can corporates and other entities do to boost the performance and talent development of African teams?
Plug the holes. Money is needed to support them from a young age.
Coaches should be brought to schools to develop talent from that stage. That is what is lacking.
Monica Waceke GM, Kwese Free Sports Kenya
What team were you supporting at the beginning of the World Cup? What team are you supporting now?
Germany. Now France or Croatia.
How many matches have you watched so far?
All the matches. Both for leisure and monitoring for work.
Favourite setting for catching the World Cup? Drink of choice? Meal of choice?
At a country club with a good group of people, enjoying the game on a good TV screen. I have not eaten during the games except maybe for chicken mushroom meal. I am a water and Coke Zero person.
Favourite moment of World Cup?
Belgium’s third goal against Japan. They deserved to go far after that last kick of the game. That was the highlight.
What is your view on the performance of African teams?
It was not the best. They lacked concentration at the 90th minute. The African teams were always being scored in the final minutes of the game.
What can corporates and other entities do to boost the performance and talent development of African teams?
Invest in the teams. Corporates have been reducing money spent in growing sport.
There is a need for corporates to partner with other stakeholders and have programmes to grow talent. It is about more than just writing cheques.
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Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
