Saruni believes Kenya can reach the World Cup

James Saruni is not a foreign name in the Kenyan league. The commanding shot stopper, pun intended, has made a name for himself at military side Ulinzi Stars in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League for a very long time.

This season however, the soldier experienced a first in his career; a national team debut for Harambee Stars on the biggest of stages in an Africa Cup of Nation qualifier match against Togo.

“Playing in a match like that is a bit challenging because internationally, that is a big game,” Saruni assesses in his opening statement.

The Ulinzi man has certainly enjoyed a fine start in the 2020/2021 campaign before the league’s suspension following a presidential directive. In the sixteen games played, Saruni boasts the highest number of clean sheets so far,8, and has time and again rose to the occasion when his defensive line is breached, just as he did in a 1-1 draw away to Nzoia Sugar to earn his club a point despite Nzoia heaping pressure in the final minutes. He has also conceded the second fewest goals, having just shipped in ten goals. It is this impressive form that Saruni feels earned his first ever debut.

“I think my hard work at club level coupled with the fact that I have the most clean sheets is what made the coaches give me this chance of playing for the national team. And I know I have not failed them,” he said.

Saruni along a host of other players including teammate Harun Mwale went on to make their debut in the game against Togo and the keeper was quick to highlight the role played by head coach Jacob Mulee and FKF president Nick Mwendwa in calming their nerves.

“They really motivated us until we had faith. They gave us videos to watch and the most important thing they kept telling us was that as long as you keep believing in yourself and believing together as a team then nothing is impossible. Later on we came to find out that to be true and I am so grateful for their motivation,” he said.

Saruni was however not able to crown it all off with a clean sheet, Togo staining his appearance after pulling one back in the 90+4th minute from the spot kick. That, however, did not bug him too much as the keeper quickly focused his sights on the upcoming world cup qualifiers.

“My plan is to take the team to qualify for the world cup which is very very possible with the team we have and the kind technical bench at our disposal. They really believe in us and I hope we will make it,” he concluded.

In order for Harambee Stars to qualify for a dream World Cup, Saruni and his other compatriots have to first navigate the challenge from Mali, Uganda and Rwanda who are pooled in the same group in the qualifiers. But just as they were told, nothing is impossible!