Kenya’s top coaches sharpen skills at CAF A refresher in Nairobi

Some of Kenya’s most experienced football coaches have converged in Nairobi for a five-day CAF A Licence refresher programme aimed at keeping elite tacticians aligned with modern coaching and licensing standards.

The Football Kenya Federation course began on Monday, August 17 and is scheduled to conclude on Friday, August 21, bringing together coaches and technical personnel from different levels of Kenyan football.

Among those attending are Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor, Tusker coach Robert Matano, APS Bomet tactician Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo, Francis Baraza, former Harambee Stars coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee and Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno.

The programme forms part of FKF’s drive to strengthen coach education and ensure holders of advanced CAF qualifications continue developing their knowledge as the technical demands of the game evolve.

FKF President Hussein Mohamed said the federation wants Kenyan coaches to remain compliant with continental requirements while staying abreast of developments at CAF and FIFA level.

The refresher programme covers areas including tactical and technical development, elite match management, sports science and the application of digital performance information.

Participants are also being exposed to contemporary coaching methodologies designed to improve decision-making, player development and the management of high-performance environments.

Football Development Director Francis Kimanzi said continuous education should go beyond simply renewing coaching qualifications, with the federation seeking to create a stronger technical workforce capable of improving player development throughout the country.

FKF is also seeking to establish a clearer pathway through the coaching education system, allowing coaches to progress from introductory and grassroots qualifications towards the elite CAF A level while maintaining the required standards at each stage.

Head of Football Education Alex Alumirah has highlighted the federation’s push towards a more modernised coach education structure, including greater use of the CAF Coaching Management System to centralise records and licensing information.

The digital platform is intended to help ensure coaching qualifications and records are properly documented and recognised as coaches progress through their careers.

The Nairobi refresher also comes at a time when technical licensing has become an increasingly important component of professional football, with clubs and coaches required to meet prescribed standards to operate at the highest levels.

For established tacticians such as Akonnor, Matano, Omollo and Mulee, the programme provides an opportunity to revisit technical concepts while engaging with emerging trends in coaching, sports science and performance analysis.

FKF believes continued investment in coach education can ultimately have a wider effect on Kenyan football by improving the quality of training environments available to players from grassroots level through to the professional game.

The federation's broader objective is to build a deeper pool of technically qualified coaches capable of working across clubs, academies and national teams while keeping pace with the changing demands of African and international football.