By Jeremy Clarke
NAIROBI (Reuters) - After five months in the cold due to a FIFA ban, football-mad Kenyans rejoiced in their national side's return to international competition with a rare victory on Sunday.
Marabou storks circled above Nyayo National Stadium in the capital as delirious fans danced and beat drums in the heavy rain and Kenya duly marked the occasion with a 2-0 victory over Swaziland in an African Nations Cup qualifier.
The east African nation had been languishing at the bottom of Group Six with no points. They are now third, six points behind leaders Angola who have a maximum nine points after their 6-1 rout of second-placed Eritrea on Sunday.
Kenya's defeats by Eritrea and Angola in previous qualifiers were a distant memory for the 30,000 spectators, and for those stuck outside after gates were closed, chanting and demanding updates from fans perched high on top of the stands.
"It was a boring five months," joked Ronald Mbugua, a fan watching with his whole family. "We're back where we belong -- winning matches."
Last year, world soccer's governing body FIFA banned Kenya from international competition for failing to honour signed agreements and for recurring problems in national competition.
Kenyan football was in crisis, with accusations of match-fixing, two rival national leagues, a deadly stampede at one game and power-brokers more interested in furthering their political careers than running successful competitions.
FIFA lifted the ban two weeks ago after securing a promise the government would not interfere in the running of the game.
The carnival atmosphere of Sunday's match, and even victory over one of international football's weakest nations, came as a great relief for Kenyan officials as well as fans.
While there was sometimes spiteful action on the pitch -- with four Swaziland players carried off injured -- there was no suggestion of the violence that has marred past internationals.
Security guards, armed with metal poles and makeshift wooden clubs, relaxed and enjoyed the game alongside fans.
"African football is the best football. We are African football," one fan called to reporters as he ran to catch a glimpse of players after the game.
Victory was some consolation for the Kenya cricket team's elimination from the Super Eight phase of the World Cup in the West Indies on Saturday.
