In summary:
- Tom Alila wants Kenya’s Harambee Stars to bring in more young players to get ready for big African football games.
- He says schools should find and train young players, and local teams should stay strong to keep fans interested.
- Alila believes Kenya has good players and coaches and should trust its own talent, not just foreign ones.
Tom Alila advocates for a youth-focused strategy within the Harambee Stars, urging coaches to integrate young players for upcoming tournaments and emphasizing the role of schools in talent development.
He also highlights the importance of community-based teams in fostering fan engagement. Alila champions reliance on local talent and acknowledges positive developments like e-ticketing, expressing optimism for the future of Kenyan football through these strategic approaches.
Building a Young and Strong Team
Tom Alila, a former contender for leadership within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), is advocating for a strategic shift in the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s national football team. He urges coaches to integrate more young players into the squad, aiming to strengthen the team’s performance in the upcoming 2025 CHAN and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments. These events hold significant importance in African football, and Kenya seeks to make a strong impact.
During his tenure with the FKF under Sam Nyamweya, Alila developed a vision for long-term football development. He now emphasizes the need for a gradual inclusion of youthful talent, ensuring that new players seamlessly integrate with the existing team dynamics. This approach, he believes, will create a formidable squad capable of competing at the highest levels.
The CHAN tournament, specifically designed for players competing in their domestic leagues, presents a prime opportunity for Kenya to showcase its emerging talent. Scheduled to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in August, this event can serve as a platform for local players to gain valuable experience and exposure.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy aligns with Alila’s perspective on talent development. McCarthy has expressed a commitment to collaborating with local league coaches and actively scouting young players during the Under-20 African Championship. His goal is to identify and nurture the next generation of football stars for the national team.
Schools and Local Teams
Alila also proposes leveraging the school system as a crucial talent pipeline. He highlights the success of players from the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, many of whom honed their skills in school environments. Schools, he argues, offer broader access to young athletes compared to private football academies. This strategy could significantly enhance talent discovery and development.
However, Alila expresses concern over the decline of community-based football clubs. He notes that corporate ownership has largely replaced local involvement in top-tier Kenyan teams, with exceptions like Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and Shabana. Community teams foster a strong sense of local identity and fan engagement, which Alila attributes to declining match attendance.
Trusting Kenyan Talent and Looking Forward
Alila maintains unwavering confidence in Kenyan players and coaches, advocating for self-reliance over dependence on foreign talent. He cites the impressive performance of Bajaber Mohammed after only two games as evidence of the potential within the local player pool.
Despite his concerns, Alila acknowledges positive developments in Kenyan football. He praises the FKF’s implementation of e-ticketing, which has streamlined ticket purchases and increased fan attendance, particularly for high-profile matches. This initiative reflects the enduring passion for football among Kenyans.
Alila’s proposals are rooted in a vision for a sustainable and successful future for Kenyan football. He champions the integration of young players, the utilization of schools for talent development, the preservation of community-based clubs, and a reliance on local expertise.
With the CHAN and AFCON tournaments on the horizon, Alila hopes that the Harambee Stars will embody the nation’s pride and potential, built on a foundation of local talent and strategic development.
