Nairobi — Finally, there is something for Kenyan sports fans to celebrate. After a month of humiliating home defeats in various disciplines, the national 15-aside rugby team produced a brilliant team effort to clinch a thrilling win over visiting Namibia in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

The victory has broken a losing streaking, coming after a double 3-0 defeat of the national cricket team by Bangladesh and the Australian Academy, a 2-1 shock loss by Harambee Stars to regional lightweights Eritrea and the subsequent ill-tempered departure of coach Bernard Lama, and the rare defeat by a Ugandan rugby side in the Elgon Cup.

The win does not in any way mean that Kenyan sport is out of the woods. Rather, it is merely a sign of the sporting potential that Kenya has, but which, time and again, has been let down by inept management.

Lack of professional management and preparation of teams on international duty seems to have become the norm with Kenyan sport as is evident in the decision to send the under-20 team to Burundi for the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (Cecafa) championships by road.

The preparation of the rugby team was nothing close to what a side trying to qualify for the World Cup should have. The team played and won despite the players not having been paid their allowances since May.

We dare not dream of a historic place at the World Cup because Kenya is still three matches away from such a feat. However, his team must be given support by not just the Government but by corporate organisations.

The next game is away to Tunisia in less than two weeks. The Kenya Rugby Football Union must ensure that the team is in top physical and mental shape to wrest a win from Tunis on September 23.

For now, congratulations to the players and the coaches for their gallant play.