Up your game: Harambee Stars coach Amrouche faults top local clubs’ training methods

By GILBERT WANDERA

Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche (kicking the ball) takes players through training. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche has expressed concern that training methods by top clubs in the country are archaic and unlikely to spur growth.

The coach further said he is concerned that almost all the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs train only once a day, which is not enough if they are to match other teams on the continent.

“It is not surprising that our clubs did not do well in their continental matches because their training methods and duration cannot give them what they need to match up to their opponents,” he said.

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia bowed out 8-2 from the Champions League against Tunisian giants Esperance in the first round of the competition.

AFC Leopards, who took part in the Confederations Cup, were edged out 4-2 on goal aggregate by SuperSport United of South Africa and  also bowed out in the first round of the competition.

Both teams train only once a day, with Gor Mahia’s session running from 7.30am to 9am every day. AFC Leopards train from 10.30am to 1pm.

The national coach believes this is where the real problem lies.

“A professional club has at least two sessions a day and this keeps the players focused on the game.

Too much time

“I wonder what happens to our players when they finish training in the morning. They have too much time on their hands before the next session and this distracts them a great deal.

“If they really want to compete with the best, then the sessions must be increased, otherwise we will continue to lag behind,” said Amrouche.

He also complained that training sessions by most teams are not targeted at improving various aspects of play and that is why some players do not well in their clubs but flourish when they are called to the national team.

“Modern training methods are targeted at improving an aspect of play. Our coaches must get to that level where they know what they want to achieve and not just train for the sake of it.

“We are experiencing many problems with some of the players when they come to the national team because we have to do a lot to get them to the level they need to be,” said the coach.

Amrouche also called for a change in the football calendar, saying the current one disadvantages local clubs.

The KPL calendar runs from February to December. In most parts of the world, the calendar runs from August to May.

“Our players take time to pick up because of the current calendar. They always compete against teams that have been more active and it interferes with their performance,” he said.