Local clubs should take international tournaments seriously and prepare well

In a few months time the country’s clubs will once again take part in continental competitions.

The two competitions include the CAF Confederations Cup and the Champions League. AFC Leopards have already picked the country’s ticket to the Confederations Cup. The representatives in the Champions League will be known in a few weeks.

Last year’s performance by Kenyan clubs in the two competitions was un-inspiring as the country’s flag bearers were eliminated in the first round and in a humiliating manner at that.

For the country to make an impact next year, clubs which have qualified must prepare well.

It is sad that local clubs do not take continental tournaments seriously despite the huge prize money at stake. The Champions League for example is very lucrative and teams that win it are never the same again.

Leopards must particularly recruit heavily if they hope to go past the first round. The team is not doing very well currently and the players they have are average but to say the least.

The club must also raise enough money to comfortably honour their matches otherwise lack of funds will hamper their preparations in this tournament.

It is high time Kenyan clubs took seriously these competitions and invested heavily in them.

They can be assured that the returns when results start trickling in will be impressive and the experience of taking part worth the while. There is nothing wrong with buying experienced players from other countries.