Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has highlighted some of the main reasons why many Kenyan footballers face difficulties when they move abroad. Drawing on his extensive experience, Mulee points to gaps in the foundational training and early football education in Kenya, contrasting the experiences of many players with the rare success of players like Victor Wanyama. His insights suggest that the lack of a structured development system is one of the most significant obstacles preventing Kenyan players from thriving in competitive international environments.
Mulee has emphasized the critical role that early, structured football education plays in developing players who can compete at higher levels. According to him, the current Kenyan football structure often fails to lay down these essential foundations early enough, resulting in players moving to international clubs without the technical and tactical skills that European leagues demand. He described the situation as akin to attempting to polish “rough diamonds” in Europe a process that becomes much more difficult without a solid early start.
In Mulee’s view, this foundation should ideally start as early as possible. He compared the process to academic education, where essential skills and knowledge need to be cultivated from a young age to achieve success later on. However, many Kenyan players begin serious football training relatively late, meaning they miss out on a period when their skills could have been shaped to meet professional standards. Mulee underscored that in developed football nations, it’s common for players to begin their football education before they reach the age of 15, giving them the opportunity to develop a technical and tactical base that prepares them for the demands of top-tier leagues.
Drawing on his personal experience, Mulee shared an instance from 2009 when he was attached to Stade Reims in France and visited Nantes, where Dennis Oliech a top striker from Kenya was playing at the time. When Mulee asked Oliech’s coach why the player was not seeing much game time, he was told that Oliech’s football education was incomplete. This, Mulee realized, was a recurring issue that affects many Kenyan players. Without early exposure to high-level training and tactical education, players often struggle to adjust when they move to competitive leagues.
To Mulee, developing a successful football player is much like constructing a building. Just as a house needs a solid foundation, a player requires a robust base of skills and understanding to thrive in the world of professional football. He referred to the philosophy of Arsène Wenger, the legendary Arsenal manager, who similarly emphasized the importance of building a solid base. Wenger’s insights have been widely respected in the football community, and Mulee believes that Kenya would benefit from adopting a similar approach. Currently, Kenyan football lacks these foundational programs, and Mulee asserts that this absence is one of the reasons why many talented players struggle abroad.
The former Harambee Stars coach further argued that when players enter professional environments without a strong grounding, they are often unable to reach their full potential. Adapting to the demands of top leagues requires not only physical prowess but also an understanding of the tactical and technical intricacies of the game, which is often lacking in players who haven’t been part of structured football academies.
One of the few exceptions to this trend is Victor Wanyama, a former captain of the Kenyan national team, whose early exposure to structured training in Europe set him apart from many of his peers. Wanyama began his career at AFC Leopards in Kenya before moving to the Helsingborg U21 side in Sweden in 2008. This move gave him an early advantage, exposing him to the tactical demands and high standards of European football. He later joined Belgian club Beerschot, where he spent three years honing his skills, which eventually paved the way for a successful career.
Wanyama’s experience is a testament to the impact that early, structured training can have on a player’s career. His time in Europe’s youth systems helped him develop the skills necessary to compete at the highest level. This foundation was further strengthened when he moved to Celtic, a top Scottish club, in 2011. His performances at Celtic led to a transfer to the English Premier League, where he played for Southampton and later Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the first and only Kenyan to appear in a UEFA Champions League final. His pathway underscores the importance of a solid foundation in helping players reach their potential.
Mulee’s observations highlight a critical gap in Kenyan football: while raw talent is abundant, the lack of structured, early-stage development means that many players are not equipped to handle the pressures and demands of international football. Wanyama’s success story is an outlier, and Mulee’s insights underscore the need for a shift in Kenya’s football development approach to produce more players capable of succeeding on the global stage.
In reflecting on these challenges, Mulee argues that Kenyan football could benefit greatly from the establishment of structured football academies and youth programs that start training players from a young age. He believes that if these systems were in place, Kenyan players would have a better chance of competing internationally. The skills and tactical awareness that these academies could offer would equip players to adapt to the demands of European leagues, much like the experiences of players who are part of top academies in Europe.
The role of early training in football development cannot be overstated, according to Mulee. Players who are exposed to structured training early on are not only more technically skilled but also more adaptable to various styles of play. These qualities are essential for success in international leagues, where the pace and physicality of the game often exceed what players are accustomed to in Kenya. Mulee stresses that Kenyan football should aim to develop well-rounded players who have both the physical and mental skills to succeed on a larger stage.
The former coach also draws attention to the need for qualified coaches who understand the demands of modern football. In Kenya, the lack of a developed coaching structure often means that players are trained by individuals who may lack the experience or qualifications needed to shape young talent effectively. Mulee believes that having qualified coaches at the youth level would be instrumental in helping players understand the game better, making it easier for them to adapt when they move abroad.
With the absence of these foundational programs, Mulee argues, many Kenyan players are often left to rely on raw talent, which can only take them so far. While talent is essential, it must be refined and developed through structured training. Players like Victor Wanyama succeeded because they were exposed to structured football systems early in their careers, allowing them to adapt to international football’s tactical and technical demands. For other players who lack this early development, the transition to European leagues can be overwhelming, and many find it difficult to secure game time or maintain consistent performance.
In addition to structured youth training, Mulee also suggests that Kenyan clubs and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) could play a more active role in supporting players who aspire to play abroad. By providing guidance, resources, and even mentorship from former players who have succeeded internationally, local clubs could help players better understand what it takes to succeed overseas.
Ultimately, Mulee’s insights offer a valuable perspective on the structural changes needed to help Kenyan players succeed internationally. His observations highlight the importance of early, structured training, qualified coaching, and a well-rounded football education. These elements, he argues, are essential for producing players who can compete on a global stage. As Kenyan football continues to evolve, Mulee’s call for reform could serve as a catalyst for the development of a more robust football ecosystem, one that equips young players with the tools they need to excel both at home and abroad.
Mulee’s advocacy for change in Kenyan football development emphasizes that success in the sport requires more than just natural talent it requires dedication to early education, tactical understanding, and strategic support from the football community. His reflections offer a hopeful vision for the future of Kenyan football, one where players are not only able to make it to international clubs but also succeed and become role models for future generations.
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