Francis Muhambe- The Grassroot hero coach

For coach Francis Muhambe, football success is not measured by trophies alone, but by the lives transformed along the way.

The Kiswahili and History teacher at Vihiga High School in Vihiga County has built a reputation as a grassroots coach who can spot overlooked talent, build competitive teams, and help young players access opportunities beyond their communities.

Currently in charge of Vihiga Cranes, the school’s football team, coach Franco combines teaching, mentorship and talent development.

His journey reflects his conviction that football can give young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, pathways to education, professional careers, and better livelihoods.

“I get satisfaction when I see my players grow and watch them on television, either playing for local clubs, the national team or international clubs,” he says. “What matters to me is what happens to the player and how far they go.”

Franco’s coaching journey began at Kilingili Secondary School, where he discovered his leadership abilities while still a student.

When the school principal, who also coached the team, was absent, he was entrusted with organising training sessions and guiding his classmates during inter-class competitions.

His teams won several matches, earning him the nickname “Kochare”, derived from the word coach. “At home, I was known as “Captain Fantastic” for my ability to organise teams, select players and make tactical decisions,” says Franco.

Although his father wanted him to concentrate on his studies, his uncle, Andrew Opati, recognised his passion for football and helped persuade his father to support his ambitions.

Determined to understand the game, Franco sometimes cycled between 23 and 30 kilometres from Vihiga to Kisumu to watch training sessions at Moi Stadium.

He also drew inspiration from former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, particularly his emphasis on technical development from an early age.

“That philosophy shaped my approach to coaching,” says the coach.

While working with Valley Strikers in Vihiga, he introduced possession-based football and emphasised accurate passing and ball control.

The team’s style of play prompted comparisons to Spanish club Barcelona and eventually inspired a name change.

Over the years, Franco has coached several school and club teams, including Olbolosat Secondary School and Ol Joro Orok Secondary School in Nyandarua County, Luanda Villas, Madira Soccer Assassins, Ebwali Boys Secondary School and Nyamira Girls in Bondo.

At Olbolosat, he guided the team to the East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association Games in 2018. At Ebwali Boys, he helped the team reach the national secondary school games in 2019. His achievements also include success in local tournaments, Talanta Hela competitions, school games and Safaricom Chapa Dimba.

His involvement in Chapa Dimba has been particularly significant. In 2023, he led Ebwali Boys to the Western Regional title after a 1–0 victory over Bungoma’s Compel Sportif, with Austin Odongo scoring the decisive goal. The win secured the team a place in the national finals in Kisumu.

Coach Franco also guided Madira Soccer Assassins towards the Western Regional finals, although the girls’ team could not participate because of a scheduling clash with school games in Rwanda.

After moving to Vihiga High School, coach Franco built Vihiga Cranes from scratch, recruiting and developing players before entering the team into Chapa Dimba.

The side subsequently defeated his former team, Ebwali Boys, in the county finals before advancing to the regional stage. He has also guided Nyamira Girls to the Siaya County title.

Four players associated with his coaching journey were selected for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba All-Stars team that travelled to Spain in 2025, giving them exposure to international football.

Among the players he celebrates are Harambee Stars players Austin Odongo and Derrick Okech, Shabana FC’s Justice Munika, and Valerie Nekesa, who has represented Kenya and played for Spanish side CD Tenerife Femenino. His list also includes Jane Hatto and Rebecca Kwoba, who have pursued football and scholarship opportunities in the United States.

For Franco, such progress demonstrates how grassroots football can connect talented young people with opportunities they might otherwise struggle to access.

Coach Franco believes players must master the fundamentals before moving on to tactical and physical training.

His approach focuses on developing technical ability, which involves controlling and manipulating the ball, gradually introducing tactical awareness and increasing conditioning as players prepare for competition.

“I believe I cannot work on the physical aspect of a player without first working on their technical ability,” he explains. “Most of the boys and girls I get are not necessarily gifted from the beginning; they are players I have to mentor.”

He also takes a deliberate approach to scouting. Rather than focusing exclusively on established school competitions, he visits local matches in areas including Khwisero, Vihiga and Lugari to identify players who may lack exposure but possess potential.

Franco often watches a player several times before making a decision and may invite promising candidates to train with his team for two to three weeks. This allows him to assess their consistency, response to coaching and ability to work with others.

His development as a coach has also involved formal training. With sponsorship from former Luanda MP Chris Omulele, he undertook Confederation of African Football (CAF) D coaching training before progressing to CAF C training in 2023, following his success with Madira Soccer Assassins.

As both a teacher and coach, Franco believes that discipline must extend beyond the pitch. His players are expected to balance football with academic responsibilities and understand the different expectations that come with being students, teammates and competitors.

“Sometimes you are their father figure, sometimes you are playing and laughing with them, but the next morning you may have to discipline them for reporting late for morning preparations,” he says. “They must understand when Franco is their teacher, when he is their coach and when it is time to celebrate as a team.”

He also incorporates life skills and guidance into training, emphasising teamwork, responsibility and respect. For him, developing a footballer means preparing a young person to function positively in society, whether or not they eventually pursue a professional career.

“You do not just want to produce a player who can score goals but cannot live well with other people,” he says. “Teamwork on the pitch is closely connected to how we live with others in society.”

Despite his achievements, the coach faces challenges familiar to those who have handled grassroots football, such as limited facilities, inadequate equipment and the cost of transporting players to matches. These constraints can keep teams from playing friendly games and competing, limiting players’ exposure.

He acknowledges Vihiga High School’s management support in sustaining his work, but believes more resources and stronger development structures would help more young players progress.

Coach Franco’s ambition is to establish a fully-fledged football academy for children under 13 and 15. The proposed academy would provide structured early training, identify promising players and prepare them for opportunities with professional clubs and other institutions. Registration and logistical requirements remain among the challenges he must overcome.

His longer-term goal is to become a certified professional coach while strengthening grassroots football development in Kenya.

“God gives a player talent, but when that player comes into your hands, you must understand that you have a responsibility to help them grow,” he says. “If a player becomes a professional, earns a living through football and is able to support themselves and their family, then I believe I have succeeded.”

From the student nicknamed Kochare to the coach nurturing talent across Western Kenya, Franco’s journey is built on patience, persistence and belief in young people. His greatest ambition is not simply to win another championship, but to help players build better futures for themselves and their families.

For Coach Franco, that is the real meaning of glory: transforming lives, one player at a time.