Ababu Namwamba Meets FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Qatar As Kenya’s Suspension Rages On

• Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has sparked renewed optimism among Kenyan football stakeholders after he met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino
• The meeting in Doha could be interpreted as steps by Ababu to ensure that Kenya's suspension by FIFA is lifted as soon as possible
• Kenya was banned by FIFA following the removal of FKF President Nick Mwendwa from office last year

Light at the end of the tunnel? Well, Kenyan football players and fans might start to hope again after Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Qatar.

Ababu shared photos of his meeting with the head honcho as the country awaits further directions on the ban placed by the world governing body that has been in effect for close to a year now.

Kenya was banned on February 24th this year following the then Sports CS Amin Mohamed's decision to remove the Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa from office. FIFA cited government interference and placed an indefinite suspension on the country.

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FKF back in office

Since taking office, Ababu has constantly reiterated that he will ensure Kenya returns to good books with FIFA. The CS has since reinstated the ousted FKF team, but Mwendwa remains out of office until the court clears him. The federation is currently under the stewardship of Vice President Doris Petra.

Ababu didn't reveal the in-depth details of his meeting with Infantino. The former AFC Leopards official also met with Secretary-General Fatma Samoura and CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

The CS also linked up with Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga in Doha. Olunga plies his trade with Al Duhail SC in Qatar.

"Nice catching up with our footballing great, Michael Olunga. Exciting ideas Mike has on getting Kenyan football back on track."

Olunga and the Qatar question

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Qatar's embarrassing defeat in their first-ever World Cup match raised more questions than answers. Qatar became the first host country to lose their opening game after going 2-0 down to Ecuador on Sunday 20th, November.

Amidst the back and forth regarding the opening game, Kenyan fans waded into the debate with Michael Olunga's name repeatedly brought up.

Olunga, who is also the national team captain, plies his professional trade with Qatari side Al Duhail where he has enjoyed immense success since joining them last year from Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol.

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Kenya won't take part in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations due to its suspension. Kenya could aim for AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2026 if the mess is fixed in time.

Sports Brief had earlier reported that new Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has indicated that he has taken the initial steps to ensure that Kenya's ban by FIFA has been lifted as soon as possible.

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Namwamba took his oath of office alongside other Cabinet Secretaries in a ceremony presided over by President William Ruto at the State House on Thursday, 27th October.

During his vetting before the National Assembly last week, Namwamba promised that immediately he was cleared to take over from Amina Mohamed, he would take the necessary steps to ensure that the ban had been lifted.