President William Ruto's prayers for the Gunners have hit a dead-end with Arsenal kicked out of the Champions League in France.
After a 13-year absence, the iconic UEFA Champions League trophy returned to Kenya, making a high-profile stop at State House Nairobi on Friday last week.
President William Ruto officially received the prestigious silverware as part of the 2025 Heineken Trophy Tour. Kenya was the final of five countries on the tour, following earlier stops in Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, and Zambia.
Addressing dignitaries, football enthusiasts, and officials from UEFA, Heineken, and the Football Kenya Federation, President Ruto expressed both pride and optimism about Kenya’s growing role in global football.
“I am truly delighted to receive the UEFA Champions League trophy here in Kenya,” he said. “We are honoured to host it once again, especially given the tremendous and passionate support that football enjoys across our country.”
Ruto, said he was praying for 'his club, Arsenal to overturn the scores in France and go ahead to win the trophy.
“Personally, I support Arsenal,” Ruto said with a grin, referencing the club’s current uphill battle after a 1–0 first-leg loss to PSG. “I hope they can overturn the result in Paris this week and reach the final - hopefully to lift the trophy for the first time in the club’s history.” he said.
However, the Gunners dreams have been cut shot.
Paris Saint-Germain weathered an early Arsenal storm before goals by Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi sealed a 2-1 victory to send them into the Champions League final.
The French champions' 3-1 aggregate triumph means they can now finally win the trophy they crave for the first time when they face Italian heavyweights Inter Milan in Munich on May 31.
Trailing 1-0 from last week's first leg, Arsenal dominated the early stages in the Parc des Princes with PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma making vital saves. The Gunners were made to pay for not taking their chances as Ruiz then slammed home a stunning left-foot shot past David Raya in the 27th minute to double PSG's aggregate lead.
Raya saved Vitinha's poor penalty in the 69th minute, which had been controversially rewarded for a handball, but shortly afterwards Hakimi made it 2-0 on the night with a sweetly-struck shot that gave Raya no chance.
Bukayo Saka replied in the 76th minute and then blazed a glorious chance over the crossbar as the visitors fell short of reaching the final for the first time since 2006.
