Top coaches gather in Nairobi for CAF A refresher course

The programme, which started on Monday and concludes on Friday, features a strong line-up of coaches and technical officials, including Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor, Tusker’s Robert Matano, APS Bomet coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo, Francis Baraza, Jacob “Ghost” Mulee and Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno.

FKF President Hussein Mohamed said the training forms part of the federation’s broader push to improve coaching standards and bring Kenyan football closer to international benchmarks.

“The programme is designed to keep our coaches compliant and aligned with the latest CAF and FIFA standards,” Hussein said.

The refresher course is being held under Article 32.1 of the CAF Coaching Convention Regulations, which stipulates that CAF coaching licences issued more than three years earlier must be renewed through approved refresher programmes.

The requirement is aimed at ensuring holders of advanced coaching qualifications continue to satisfy the technical and professional standards expected within African football.

Peter Kamau Chege, chairman of the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee, said the programme gives coaches an opportunity to update their knowledge and adjust to the game's rapidly evolving demands.

“The CAF A Licence Refresher Course kicked off today, bringing together coaches for a period of learning, reflection and continued professional development,” Chege said.

The training comes at a time when Kenyan clubs are facing increasingly demanding technical standards for participation in elite competitions, making valid coaching qualifications an important part of club compliance.

FKF Football Development Director Francis Kimanzi said the programme goes beyond licence renewal, with its focus also on giving coaches practical knowledge suited to the modern game.

“The course is designed to strengthen coaching standards and support professional development across Kenya,” Kimanzi said.

Participants are covering areas including tactical and technical development, elite game management, sports science and the application of digital performance data. The sessions also expose coaches to current CAF and FIFA methodologies designed to enhance decision-making and player development.

Head of Football Education Alex Alumirah said the refresher programme is part of a wider strategy to modernise coaching education in Kenya.

“These refresher courses are a core part of a broader, systemic plan to upgrade Kenya’s coach education curriculum and align local football with global best practices,” Alumirah said.

The federation is also seeking to create a more structured pathway through which coaches can advance from grassroots qualifications to the highest levels of the profession while meeting the required standards at every stage.

Kimanzi said the system would provide a clearer progression route for coaches through the different levels of training.
“We want to structure local progress by standardising the transition of coaches upwards through the tier system, from the foundational grassroots courses up to the elite CAF A level,” he said.

Chege said the benefits of the programme would extend beyond the participating coaches, with improved technical knowledge ultimately influencing player development and the quality of football.

“The course provides an opportunity for coaches to refresh their knowledge, sharpen their technical and tactical understanding, and keep pace with the evolving demands of the modern game,” he said.

Kimanzi also stressed the importance of maintaining valid qualifications for coaches seeking to remain involved in top-level football.

“Ensuring compliance with the CAF coaching regulations is essential if our coaches are to remain eligible and competitive in top-flight football,” he said.

The federation is additionally pushing for greater use of digital systems, including the CAF Coaching Management System, which centralises coaching records and licensing information.

“We are driving the transition towards the centralised digital CAF Coaching Management System so that coaches’ records and licences remain properly recognised,” Alumirah said.

The five-day programme combines classroom sessions, technical discussions and lessons on modern performance concepts, with participants expected to demonstrate that their knowledge remains consistent with current CAF requirements.

For Hussein, strengthening coaching education is ultimately part of a wider effort to improve player development and the country's football system.

“Continuous development of our coaches directly translates to the growth of our players, and ultimately, the elevation of our football,” he said.

Kimanzi said FKF intends to expand professional development opportunities as it works towards creating a larger pool of qualified coaches capable of operating at different levels of the country's football structure.

“We must continue investing in technical education because better-prepared coaches create better environments for players to develop,” he said.

Alumirah, meanwhile, urged coaches to regard education as an ongoing responsibility rather than a qualification that is earned once and then set aside.

“Keeping education current is an essential checkpoint for every active coach, particularly those seeking to work at the highest levels,” he said.

As the Nairobi programme moves towards its conclusion, FKF's focus is on ensuring Kenyan coaches not only retain their continental credentials but also continue developing alongside the evolving demands of the sport.

The course has brought together an experienced group of Kenyan football figures, including top-flight coaches, former national team tacticians and emerging technical professionals.