By Gilbert Wandera

Questions were emerging as to the readiness by African teams for the World Cup on third day of the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

After Nigeria, one of the six Africa representatives in the World Cup, were spanked 3-1 by champions Egypt, it is beginning to emerge that African teams may not do well in the World Cup.

The result came just a day after the mighty Ivory Coast were held to a barren draw by a gritty Burkina Faso side and Algeria, who have also picked a World Cup ticket, went down 3-0 to Malawi in the tournament�s biggest upset so far.

Following the results of two days, already the unthinkable is beginning to be contemplated. Will Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Algeria be eliminated from the first round?

Though it is early, this may be the case, considering that all the three teams have been less than impressive.

Nigeria�s 3-1 loss was particularly humiliating. The Super Eagles could not match their opponents and despite going ahead early, courtesy of a Chinedu Obasi goal, it is one of the few serious efforts put up by the Super Eagles.

Leaky defence

A leaky defence, especially on the right flank, where experienced Taye Taiwo held fort, did not improve matters for the Super Eagles.

The midfield was also questionable, showing lack of creativity and failing to feed the striking force.

This lack of speed in mid-field made them unable to close down their opponents and thereby exposed their defence and the Egyptians made good use of this.

The attack was also starved of balls and this explains Nigeria�s lack of effort infront of goal.

The result has left Shoaibu Amodu�s future in doubt as so far as the World Cup is concerned.

Amodu has been a man under siege during the qualification matches for the World Cup and Nations Cup and now his critics have real reason to nail him.

The absence of Peter Odemwingie was a big blow for Nigeria.

Egypt�s performance was proof of their superiority and would have greatly enriched Africa�s representation.

Missing out on the World Cup will be enough motivation for them to win the African title for a record seventh time and given their opening match performance, the Pharaohs are not far off from achieving this feat.

source.standard.ke

KALONZO MUSYOKA IS RIGHT! REVISED HARMONIZED CONSTITUTION

I am elated that Vice President Musyoka has got some kahunas to finally stand up and make a very compelling case against this incredibly wrong piece of literature.

By standing up to ODM and opposing making permanent this confused government, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is acting like a serious leader not subject to the whims of political expediency and that is commendable. Please note that mine is not a blanket endorsement of Kalonzo the candidate but very strong support for his stance on the subject matter i.e. the so called �revised Harmonized draft constitution�.

Standing up to these jokers i.e. called �Committee of Experts� who are nothing more than a bunch of conceited self aggrandizing arrogant prim donnas is perhaps the best example of leadership I am seeing from this man. Someone is finally standing up to this nonsense! It is �laughable that ODM is suddenly crying foul contending that PNU jumped the gun when in fact it was just a month ago when Miguna Miguna characteristically jumped the gun and presented ODM�s position to the jokers at the CoE giving their position ahead of PNU; when the self righteous genius walked out of a consensus group meeting with juvenile bravado like a spoilt brat because he didn�t get his way with the rest of the committee members; I mean the disdain this man has for the rest of us who may not see things his way is just UNBELIEVABLE!

Even ODM�s own MPs have come out strongly opposed to Miguna Miguna, they just can�t stand the man; this liability of a person is the man the Prime Minister wants to spearhead the constitutional debate on behalf of ODM? Really? OK! �Is Prime Minister Odinga listening? This is how you lose followers sir, the kind of company you elevate in public life is ruining your career; it was Ruto in 2007, it is Miguna today, who is next

The �Committee of Experts� received almost two million views from Kenyans majority of which were opposed to the draft as it is written; the committee, to preserve their own legacy and please a few special interests simply ignored all our views and submitted a replica of the original flawed document to the PSC and as chairman Kitonga said, this was done �in principle�; really? So it is no longer what the people want but the �experts� principle? That is what we the people must vote on! Kitonga�s principle, Imagine that.

Further, they refuse to provide or make public the comments from the public as required under the guidelines they are required to follow thus making a complete mockery of what was supposed to be a collaborative effort between the public and these folks; what a croak of horse manure!

Kalonzo is right; we have not expressed any interest to bequeath our power to a few in parliament; we want to directly elect our president and to hold him/her accountable to his/her actions; we want to have recourse in case we become disillusioned with our choice. These geniuses couldn�t even fix the infighting in the current coalition government and instead, in their infinite wisdom chose to defer it to a �council of State�; I mean if you are drafting a constitution, a blue print of how and who does what and yet still cannot resolve an immediate and present impasse before you; are you really and truly an �EXPERT�?

This was a simple test for the �experts� and they failed miserably! This is just a waste of valuable resources and the public�s time; I say disband this committee, start all over. This is just a complete disgrace and a sham. Shame on you people!

By David Ochwangi