After a year-long wait, 25 Kenyan coaches will finally get to complete their CAB B coaching badges after their course was disrupted by football crisis.
The group was the second cohort in the first-ever CAF B coaching course in the country.
The course was disrupted by the disbanding of the Football Kenya Federation which runs the course and the subsequent global suspension by FIFA.
The suspension was lifted on 28 November last year but even then it was not clear whether CAF would let the course resume.
“I am happy for these coaches. They have waited a long time to complete an important professional qualification that will open doors for them. I am also happy for Kenyan football because we have now upgraded 50 coaches to an elite level and this is crucial for us to develop tactically as a country,” FKF CEO Barry Otieno.
“In our plans, we should be at 100 by now but that is the cost of the crisis and political interference, “he added.
George Midenyo, a former Harambee Stars fullback, said the return to the course was a big relief.
“It feels good to be back. We depend on soccer, when football stops, income stops, “said Midenyo.
Former Starlets player and assistant coach Jacqueline Juma said faith got her through the period.
“Whatever God starts he finishes; I am so grateful that we get to complete our course. As a coach this is an important qualification for our professional journey, some of us have missed opportunities because we do not have this diploma. Now we have our chance, “she said.
Abdinasser Kassim of Good Hope Soccer Academy echoed her sentiments.
“It has not been easy, some of us nearly gave up on football but we came together as a group and encouraged each other to persevere. Now we have a chance to change the face of football in our communities, and for me that is Mombasa County, “he explained.
The cohort also includes Kariobangi Sharks Head Coach William Muluya, former player Stephen Ocholla, and Bidco Assistant Simon Wagema.
Others are George Ouma of the M-Pesa Foundation Academy, Nasoro Mwakoba of Kenya Navy FC, and Pascal Ochieng of Posta Rangers.
This course is part of a series of capacity-building coaching courses that have delivered 5302 coaches at the introductory CAF D level and 420 coaches at the CAF C level.
“This diploma will open doors for me, even to jobs outside Kenya,” Midenyo added.
The course was delivered by FKF Education Officer Salim Ali and CAF Instructor Leonard Odipo.
By Hamdi Mohamud
