KENYA HEADING IN RIGHT DIRECTION? Harambee Stars coach questioned over selection criteria

The selection criteria of national football team, Harambee Stars, has come under sharp criticism.

Head coach Stanley Okumbi named a provisional 39-man team for next month’s (October 4) international friendly match against Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinshasa.

The inclusion of some players has left football fans and pundits questioning which parameters Okumbi and his team used when making the calls.

Over years, the big question has always been; what criteria governs a player’s eligibility for the national team?

Is it based on the photos and videos these players post on social media; friendship; nepotism or is it just an easy way of dishing out of caps? It seems there is lack of coherence in the team’s plans and structure, as the players’ recycling trend continues.

It is good to have the likes of Paul Were (Acharnaikos, Greece) and Rama Salim (MFK Topvar Topolcany, Slovakia) back in the team, but the question is, who has been monitoring their performances abroad and are some of these leagues more competitive than Kenya Premier League?

According to former AFC Leopards and Congo United coach Gilbert Selebwa, the Football Kenya Federation should have a programme of sending scouts or members of technical bench to monitor the progress of foreign-based players before recommending them for selection.

“The national coach should have a pool of players to match his philosophy, but it’s wrong and meaningless to call 39 players in camp. That shows lack of focus. It’s not about experimenting, but calling up individuals, who can fit into his playing style. But I don’t know why he is doing that,” said Selebwa.

“Yes, he should give more opportunities to local-based players, but they must also prove themselves. But it will be prudent for FKF to facilitate Okumbi to go and watch some of these players abroad. He should not be scared. He just needs to expand his technical bench. Let the coaches around him understand the caliber of players to fit in his philosophy and even attend some matches and bring feedback.

“As far as I am concerned, most national team coaches move around the world looking at their players before naming them in their teams. Amrouche (Adel) used to move around. But we don’t follow-up on the players, but go ahead and blindly give them opportunities.”

Unlike other countries where selection to the national team is based on playing time, appearances, impact and fitness levels, in Kenya, it’s quite different.

For instance, a player like Baron Oketch, who is in the team, has had less playing time since joining Gor Mahia and is mostly used as a second half substitute. There is no doubt Oketch is talented and has a bright future, but at the moment, that chance should have been given to a well-deserved player.

However, Okumbi has received widespread praise for his bold decision to name Eric Marcelo Ouma and Ismael Gonzalez (Las Palmas) in the team.