Former Harambee Stars Coach Adel Amrouche has called on the Kenyan football fraternity to elect leaders who have vision and passion for football during the forthcoming election.
“Kenyan football is on the right path and only the right leaders are needed to bring back the lost glory in the sport,” said the Algeria-Belgium coach.
Addressing the media after the conclusion of a five-day coaching clinic at Pride Inn Hotel in Mombasa, the coach said the stakeholders need to consult widely to select the right people.
Amrouche, whose sterling record as Stars coach saw him maintain an unbeaten run with the team said the administration of football in Kenya must improve.
“My hope is to see Kenya at the top. We need the right people at the right place. When we do mistakes, we pay. This is football,” he said adding that football is for footballers. I hope this problem that Kenya is currently having is resolved by ushering in the right people in office,” he added.
The coaching course was sponsored by former Kenya Football Federation (KFF) Vice Chairman Twaha Mbarak who has declared his candidature for the FKF presidency when the elections are called after the Caretaker Committee concludes its mandate in five months’ time.
The course was also conducted by former Harambee Stars coaches Mohammed Kheri, Twahir Muhiddin and Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and Harambee Sands Stars coach Rajab Babu. Former Harambee Stars players Douglas Mutua and James Situma were present alongside former FIFA referee Khamis Bhagazal and the Chairman of Kenya Football Coaches Association (Kefoca) Ricky Solomon.
Kheri said Uganda is ahead of Kenya in youth football programs and that is why the Uganda Cranes have been doing better than Harambee Stars.
“Uganda is ahead of us because of proper youth programs,” said Kheri.
In the latest Fifa rankings, Kenya is ranked at position 102 in the world and 21 in Africa. Uganda is the best placed East African country placed at position 82 in the world, and 15 in Africa.
Other coaches decried the lack of an elaborate youth program that will act as feeders to the national teams.
Mbarak urged clubs that will participate in the forthcoming election not to allow themselves to be misled by power-hungry people who have no connection with football.
“I will continue working with former footballers, coaches, referees and all football stakeholders to improve Kenyan football. I have a passion for football and that is why I want to ascend into the top leadership to bring the needed changes,” said the former Black Panther striker.
“We don’t concentrate on the youth. The moment we concentrate on the youth, I can guarantee Kenyan football fraternity that the national teams will be the best in Africa,” said Mutua, who once coached the defunct Mombasa-based Coast Stars FC.
Situma, who hang his boots three years ago and took over coaching responsibilities, said there is a need to develop young coaches at the grassroots to help identify talent across the country.
He said he took to coaching to help give back to society by passing the knowledge he has gained as a footballer for over the 17 years he played to the next generation.
“When I was playing, I thought I knew everything until I stepped into a coaching class,” said Situma.
enzioka@standardmedia.co.ke
