Some Kenyans, reflecting on their nation's 2-0 defeat to Algeria in their opening Afcon match, think former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is a bad omen. He was in Egypt to watch the match.

Before the game, one Twitter user flagged up the potential problem:

Mary Njoroge@Maryiana96                                                                       

 This one will mess things up... Raila is a bad omen.. I just hope all will be well... #ALGKEN

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After Sunday's game people were asking for the president to act. This tweeter said. in both English and Swahili, that he had to do something immediately:

MR.Kipkurui-Kapchumbe™ @PkiruiKapchumbe

 mungeweza despite the fact that Raila ___________________________.think twice. https://twitter.com/harambee__stars/status/1142913280756920321?p=v …

Harambee Stars@harambee__stars

F.T

Algeria 2-0 Kenya#Tunaweza

 Good Timing @wilfred_yego

President Uhuru should recall Raila from Egypt with immediate effect. Yaani mara moja.#HarambeeStars

But others have pointed out that Kenyans should focus on the players' performances first:

Chilal@cwyyell

 #AFCON2019 #HarambeeStars

Dear Kenyans, Raila Odinga was not one of the eleven players-quit  blaming him for the lose.

Thanks.

Mr Odinga himself did not address the question of his impact. In a post-match tweet he told the team to "keep your heads up and keep going" and goes on to say in Swahili "sliding is not falling":

Raila Odinga?@RailaOdinga

 After a 15 year absence from the tournament you played your hearts out but didn't get a favorable result. Keep your heads up and keep going, kuteleza sio kuanguka. The whole nation is still rooting for you #HarambeeStars all the best in the rest of your #AFCON2019 fixtures.

10:13 PM - Jun 23, 2019

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