Players urged to earn coaching badges, 25 complete CAF D course

Kenyan footballers have been urged to begin earning coaching qualifications while they are still playing, with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) saying early preparation can ease the transition into coaching and help strengthen the country's football development.

The call came as 25 coaches completed a three-day Confederation of African Football (CAF) D Refresher Coaching Course organized by the FKF Nairobi East Branch in Nairobi.

The participants received certificates after successfully completing the program which was designed to prepare holders of the entry-level CAF D coaching license for the next stage, the CAF C license, following changes to the CAF coaching curriculum.

FKF Nairobi East Branch Vice-Chairman Patrick Orwako said the refresher course became necessary after the curriculum review delayed CAF C courses, leaving many coaches waiting to advance.

"We are doing this refresher course to prepare our coaches, those who did their CAF D a few years ago, so they can join CAF C which is supposed to happen soon," said Orwako.

He encouraged players to start taking coaching courses before retiring from football, saying doing so would make it easier to transition into a coaching career.

"You don't have to wait until you become a former player to start coaching courses. By the time your playing career ends, you have already reached a high coaching level," he said, citing former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany as an example of a player who moved into coaching soon after retirement.

Orwako added that coaching offers players a valuable career path after football while allowing them to pass on the experience gained during their playing days.

Among those who completed the refresher course was former Ulinzi Stars defender Mohamed 'Rio' Hassan, alongside other coaches preparing to advance to the CAF C licence.

CAF D coach Joyce Anyango said the programme had renewed her confidence as she works towards coaching at the highest level.

"I am looking forward to coaching some big teams. The course has refreshed my mind and helped me realise the areas I need to improve as I take the next step in coaching," she said.

Former Kenyan international Issa Omondi, who earned his CAF D licence in 2021, welcomed the refresher after waiting several years to progress to the next level.

"I have been looking forward to this opportunity for several years. This refresher updates our skills so we can move to CAF C and continue pursuing our goals of coaching at the top level," said Omondi.

He added that better coach education will help nurture the next generation of footballers and strengthen Kenya's chances of competing consistently at continental and global tournaments.

With CAF C courses expected to resume following the curriculum review, the coaches who completed the refresher are now set to take the next step in their coaching journey.