Coaches feted after CAF course

Sammy Omollo, left, receive his CAF Coaching "A" License certificate from FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya assisted by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Esakwa, centre, during FKF meeting at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014. Photo/Jonah Onyango.

It will take a minimum of a CAF Level A licence for anyone seeking to coach a Kenyan Premier League side, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced. Speaking during a ceremony to award CAF Level A certificates to 33 successful coaches, FKF President Sam Nyamweya asked foreign coaches or those who trained outside the CAF framework to synchronise their qualifications with the continental body.

“We will give foreign coaches a six month window to do so,” Nyamweya said.
“Their qualifications have to be at par with the CAF level ‘A’ licence for them to be allowed to handle local teams. On this, we are not relenting and will ensure it is implemented,” he said.
AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia coaches did not attend the CAF course as they have other qualifications.
According to new CAF rules, all coaches handling top league sides must have a minimum of level ‘A’ licence. Nyamweya has also warned local clubs not to employ unqualified coaches anymore and revealed that the federation will ensure this is implemented.
“We have enough qualified coaches and we will carry out further courses especially for those at the grassroots level to ensure that our football is at par with the best on the continent.”
He also revealed that the federation will organise a seminar during which a syllabus for Kenyan football will be drawn up.
The FKF chairman also touched on the hot subject of the KPL composition next season by insisting that there will be no parallel leagues.
“I want to clarify that we have not disbanded the KPL nor do we intend to do so. What we have asked them to do is to change their name to FKF Premier League in conformity with the constitution.
“After that happens, the current structures remain the same. I also want to clarify that there will be no parallel leagues but only one top league recognised by FKF, CAF and Fifa.
“We have already informed Fifa about our position on this matter and they have agreed to come here so that we sit down with them and the KPL and put everything where it belongs,” he added.
FKF Chief Executive Michael Esakwa said the CAF course is part of their plan to empower coaches in the country and they remain delighted at the performance registered by the local tacticians.
“From the results we have, the coaches registered a 92 per cent pass rate which remains very impressive,” he said.
Out of the 33 local coaches who attended the course, 30 passed while three failed. Another 15 tacticians also attempted the coaching instructors course and passed.
Elly Mukolwe who heads the FKF Technical committee said more courses are on the way to empower local coaches.
“We are looking at empowering all our technical people to ensure that they are at par with the best in the world.”
Former Gor Mahia coach Sammy Omollo was the best after scoring a 90.3% pass mark.