maka wrote: @Alba you never liked Okumbi
If am not wrong the U23 is also playing against U23 SA....progress is a gradual progress...youth structure takes time but we should start building them from now...that I agree...that's the only way we can have a strong national team in the future years...Good things are being done by the federation.
U R right I never liked the Okumbi experiment. Appointing a coach whose only previous experience was at Kariobangi Sharks and making him national team coach was too much of a gamble for me.
I am still not sold on Okumbi but I admit he is not as bad as I thought. Still these friendlies are not enough to assess him. I will judge him more if Kenya plays in the CECAFA senior challenge cup.
On youth developmet:
Youth structures does not mean having a U23 team and a U20 team. Thats the least important part of youth development.
The most important aspect of youth development is identifying talented youth as early as age 12 and drilling into them proper technique, tactical awareness, drive, attitude, psychology etc etc.
Basically drilling them in good football habits and getting rid of bad football habits. Such that by the time they reach 18, good technique is second nature.
You say its a gradual process yet Kenya has not even started
Kenya needs to replicate the MYSA model in at least 20 counties where football talent exists. Basically Kenya needs football academies all over the country. Nairobi county should have at least 3 such centres in Kibera, Eastlands and elsewhere to tap and mould talent.
Right now Kenyan youth are learning to play football barefeet with ball ya jwala thus learning bad football habits and bad technique. And thats if they are lucky to even have space to play. Most youth in the slums nowadays don't even have a football field. Football fields are being grabbed left and right. Thats why its critical to establish football academies all over the country so talent is not wasted.