President Ruto backs Arsenal to overturn deficit against PSG

Speaking on Friday at State House Nairobi during the ceremonial reception of the UEFA Champions League trophy, Ruto said Arsenal had tools to overturn the 1-0 deficit at Parc de Princes on Wednesday.

The Gunners’ hopes of reaching next month’s showpiece hang by a thread after Ousmane Dembele fired PSG to a one-goal advantage in the last-four tie at Emirates last Tuesday.

“As has been said, I am an Arsenal supporter, and I hope they overturn the 1-0 loss to PSG this week when they meet in Paris next Wednesday and advance to the finals to hopefully lift this trophy,” Ruto stated.

“Since I am the last to hold it, I am praying for my team so that this year they lift this trophy in the finals. Whichever team you are rooting for, let us enjoy the game,” Ruto added.

The UEFA Champions League trophy was presented to President Ruto marking the first time in 13 years its returning to Kenya, and will make stops in Nairobi for three days having landed on Thursday.

The President took the opportunity to challenge the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to lay strong structures that will help churn out football talents in Kenya.

“I urge the Football Kenya Federation and all stakeholders to take the lead in revitalising the game by nurturing talent from the grassroots to the national and international levels. Kenya has an abundance of football talent; we simply need to be more focused on identifying, nurturing, and developing it through a supportive and conducive infrastructure.

“We also have much to learn from global football powerhouses like Germany, where Bastian comes from, about what it takes to consistently remain competitive on the world stage.”

The tour, which is part of a partnership between Dutch multinational brewing company Heineken and the UEFA Champions League, is being spearheaded by former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The German international won the Champions League title in 2013 when Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the first final between two German clubs at Wembley Stadium.

The trophy has been travelling the globe in recent years, with supporters in north, central and south America, China, Republic of Korea and Japan all getting the chance to be close to the silverware.

The trophy was in South Africa over the past weekend, and now Kenya joins its continental neighbour in hosting the prestigious prize awarded to Europe’s elite.