Kenya's Top Coaches Sharpen Skills at FKF CAF A Licence Refresher in Nairobi

Some of Kenya's most experienced football coaches gathered in Nairobi for a five-day CAF A Licence refresher programme, run by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) from Monday, 17 August to Friday, 21 August 2026. The course aims to keep elite coaches aligned with current coaching and licensing standards.

Who attended

Participants included Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor, Robert Matano, APS Bomet coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo, Francis Baraza, former Harambee Stars coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee and Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno, along with other coaches and technical staff from different levels of Kenyan football.

What the course covered

The programme focused on tactical and technical development, elite match management, sports science and the use of digital performance data. Coaches were also introduced to modern methods for improving decision-making, player development and the management of high-performance environments.

FKF President Hussein Mohamed said the federation wants Kenyan coaches to remain compliant with continental requirements and keep up with developments at CAF and FIFA level. Football Development Director Francis Kimanzi said continuous education should go beyond simply renewing licences, with the aim of building a stronger technical workforce across the country.

A clearer pathway for Kenyan coaches

FKF wants a clear coaching education pathway, allowing coaches to move from introductory and grassroots badges up to the elite CAF A level. Head of Football Education Alex Alumirah has pushed for greater use of the CAF Coaching Management System, a digital platform that centralises licensing records so that qualifications are properly documented as coaches progress.

The federation has also admitted that raising the number of Kenyan coaches at elite level remains a challenge, which makes regular courses like this one important.

Why coach education matters

Club licensing rules now require coaches at the top level to hold recognised qualifications. Better-trained coaches also mean better training environments for players, from grassroots academies to Premier League clubs and national teams. Over time, that should raise the overall quality of Kenyan football.

How many elite coaches does Kenya have?

According to Capital FM, Kenya has 49 accredited CAF A Licence coaches, including Francis Kimanzi, Beldine Odemba, Jacob Mulee, Zedekiah Otieno and Robert Matano. For a country with a full Premier League, a National Super League, women's leagues and several national teams, that is a small pool.

Getting onto the CAF A course

The next full CAF A course was due to start in September 2026, but places are limited. CAF caps each course at 25 participants, with three places reserved for foreign coaches, and FKF received more than 100 applications. The course runs for about six and a half months.

To apply, coaches need:

• A CAF B Licence.
• At least two years of active coaching.
• A role coaching a top-tier or second-tier team, or an elite academy.

Kimanzi said the cap exists to protect the quality of the course, but admitted that choosing fairly from so many applicants is difficult.

Why the numbers matter

Club licensing rules require head coaches at the top level to hold recognised qualifications. When only a small number of coaches have the top badge, clubs end up choosing from the same names, and it becomes harder for younger coaches to move up. Women's football and youth national teams also need qualified coaches, which stretches the pool even further.

What the refresher adds

A refresher course does not create new CAF A coaches, but it keeps existing ones up to date with modern methods. Topics such as sports science and performance data are changing quickly, and coaches who trained ten or fifteen years ago need to keep learning to stay competitive.

How young coaches can start

• Begin with FKF grassroots and CAF D or C courses.
• Coach regularly at school, academy or community level to build experience.
• Keep certificates and records up to date through the CAF Coaching Management System.
• Work as an assistant at a higher level to gain the experience needed for the B and A licences.

Frequently asked questions

What is a CAF A Licence?

The CAF A Licence is one of the highest coaching qualifications offered by the Confederation of African Football, required for coaching at the top levels of club and international football in Africa.

Who runs coaching courses in Kenya?

The Football Kenya Federation runs CAF-accredited coaching courses, from grassroots badges up to the CAF A Licence.