The curse of the FKF is a topic that has been discussed extensively in recent years. FKF stands for the Football Kenya Federation, the governing body for football in Kenya. The curse refers to the perceived mismanagement, corruption, and lack of progress within the FKF. One of the main issues with the FKF is its history of corruption. There have been numerous allegations of embezzlement and bribery within the organization, leading to a lack of transparency and accountability. This has resulted in a distrust among players, coaches, and fans, as they feel that their interests are not being properly represented or protected.
One would have thought the board would be more than happy to give the man what he wanted, but they refused and also terminated his contract.
The manner of defeat in Italy raised the most pertinent question of all, raised by Jamie Carragher among others, as to whether Klopp is able to rediscover the intensity which defined his previous Liverpool sides. As Hermosillo was about to take the penalty, the referee asked him to clean the blood off his face, but he didn t pay heed and went on to score a late winner from the penalty.
This has resulted in a distrust among players, coaches, and fans, as they feel that their interests are not being properly represented or protected. Another aspect of the curse is the lack of progress and development of football in Kenya. Despite having a rich talent pool and a strong passion for the game, the national team has struggled to achieve success on the international stage.
The 100-year Football Curse that Appears to be Working
May 2, 1962 — Are Benfica cursed? The Portuguese mega club based in Lisbon won historic back-to-back European Cup victories in 1961 and 1962. But since then, despite reaching the European finals 8 times, they have never won, because some claim, of a curse placed by their former coach on the club in 1962.
That coach was Béla Guttmann. His side had just won the 1962 European Cup for a miraculous second year in a row and against Real Madrid, considered the best team in the world. After their famous victory Guttmann, sure of his worth, asked for a 65% pay rise, which the board of Benfica refused. Furious with their answer Guttmann is then is supposed to have pronounced:
“Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever be European champion.”
Béla Guttmann was a colorful character even in a sport full of larger-than-life personalities. Born in 1899 in Budapest, Guttmann was a dancer before becoming a football player. In a pattern established early in his career, Guttmann played for a number of teams, moving often, from Hungary to Austria to the United States and back.
As a Jewish Hungarian, Guttmann survived the Holocaust but only just, many of his family and friends did not. He became a football coach in Europe and Brazil attracting controversy as he went. He was let go from Italian club AC Milan in 1953, after a feud with the club’s board, Guttmann famously said to reporters afterwards at a press conference:
“I have been sacked even though I am neither a criminal nor a homosexual. Goodbye.”
Guttmann came to greater prominence in Portugal managing FC Porto winning the national league with them. Offered a better deal by Benfica he jumped ship to the rival cub and won the club’s first European Cup in 1961.
In his second season with Benfica he controversially sacked 20 of the club’s most senior players and brought in the young prodigy Eusebio from Mozambique, whom he had swiped from under the noses of a rival Portuguese side. Part of a new breed of football manager, Guttmann encouraged an attacking, free-flowing style of play in his team claiming:
“I never minded if the opposition scored because I always thought we could score more”
A master of psychological tactics before they were commonplace, Guttmann took great pains before the 1962 final to install in his team a belief they could win, despite being underdogs.
So how serious should Guttmann’ curse be taken? Guttmann was after all well known for never staying long in any one place. He once said of coaching:
“the third season is fatal”,
And he seems to have already had his next football job lined up in Uruguay. However Benfico’s greatest player and Guttmann’s biggest star Eusebio certainly seems to have believed in the curse’s power. In 1990 before Benfico played AC Milan in the European Cup final in Vienna, Eusebio visited Guttmann’s grave in the city to make a plea he end the curse from beyond the grave. In 2014 when Benfico were facing yet another European final Benfica coach Jorge Jesus and his players publicly laughed off the curse, before being beaten 4-2 on penalties to Sevilla. Perhaps in today’s world of total football, where any psychological edge is key, just maybe Guttmann’s curse is still working?
Published: March 18, 2018
Updated: November 17, 2019
Apparently, a Gypsy (again) woman placed a curse on the club. During the renovation works in the 1950s, a harp crest – which symbolised the club’s founding Irish roots – was removed from the South Stand and wasn’t restored after the works were over.
This is partly due to poor infrastructure, limited funding, and a lack of opportunities for players to develop their skills. Furthermore, the FKF has been marred by constant infighting and internal politics. Different factions within the organization fight for power and control, often putting their own interests above the development of the game. This has only served to further hinder the progress of football in Kenya. The curse of the FKF has had a negative impact on all aspects of Kenyan football. It has undermined the integrity of the sport, hindered the development of players and teams, and created a sense of disillusionment among fans. In order for the curse to be lifted, there needs to be a commitment to transparency, accountability, and genuine development within the FKF. Only then can Kenyan football reach its full potential..
Reviews for "The FKF Curse: Myth vs Reality"
1. Emily - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Curse of the fkf". The storyline was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with any of them. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, adding to the overall disappointment of the film. I was expecting a thrilling and engaging experience, but instead, I was left bored and frustrated. I do not recommend wasting your time on this movie.
2. Mike - 2 stars
"Curse of the fkf" had potential, but it fell short in many aspects. The acting was mediocre at best, with several moments feeling overacted and unbelievable. The special effects were lackluster and didn't add anything to the film. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on and others feeling rushed. Overall, it lacked the necessary elements to make it an enjoyable experience. I would suggest looking for other options if you are looking for a thrilling and well-executed horror film.