A group of 25 Kenyan coaches will finally get to complete their CAF B coaching badges after their course was disrupted when Fifa suspended Kenya from all football-related activities due to government interference.
The group was the second cohort to participate in the first-ever CAF B coaching course in the country.
Their class was disrupted after Football Kenya Federation was disbanded by former Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed in November 2021.
Fifa lifted the suspension on November 28, 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,” said FKF CEO Barry Otieno.
“In our plans, we should be at 100 CAF B coaches by now but that is the cost of interference.”
George Midenyo, a former Harambee Stars, Gor Mahia, Mathare United and Tusker striker, said the return of the course was a big relief.
“It feels good to be back. We depend on soccer, when football stops, income stops. It’s hard to be a human being in that situation,” said Midenyo.
“This diploma will open doors for me, even to jobs outside Kenya.”
Ex-Harambee Starlets player and assistant coach Jacqueline Juma was equally excited by the news.
“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,” said Juma.
Some of the coaches set to complete the course are Kariobangi Sharks coach William Muluya, former Kenyan internationals Stephen Ocholla and Pascal Ochieng.