By Shadrack Nyakoe
Former Posta Rangers captain, Joseph Mbugi, has praised Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for its focus on capacity-building programs aimed at coaches. According to Mbugi, these initiatives are the federation’s greatest achievement, providing a crucial foundation for the development of football in Kenya from the grassroots level to the highest stages of competition.
Speaking after his graduation as part of a cohort of 25 coaches who successfully completed their CAF B coaching license at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Mbugi commended FKF for facilitating the transition of former players into coaching careers.
Mbugi, who currently serves as the assistant team manager and trainer at his former club, Posta Rangers FC, began his coaching journey in 2020 after retiring as a player.
He initially earned his CAF D license, followed by his CAF C, and has now successfully attained his CAF B certification. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed how the courses have transformed his understanding of football, allowing him to approach the game from a new perspective as a coach.
“Since transitioning from a player to a coach, my view of the game has completely changed. The knowledge I’ve gained through these courses will be instrumental in developing the players I work with now and in the future,” Mbugi stated. In addition to his managerial responsibilities, Mbugi is actively involved in training the Posta Rangers squad, applying his expertise to enhance the team’s performance.
Mbugi’s illustrious playing career saw him start at Mathare Youth before moving on to Mahakama, Tusker FC, and Posta Rangers. During his time with Tusker FC, he won two Kenyan Premier League titles and had the privilege of competing in the CAF Champions League, CECAFA Club Championships, and representing Kenya with the national team, Harambee Stars.
On the importance of FKF’s coaching courses, Mbugi remarked: “I really commend FKF for offering these programs. If you look at our teams today, you can clearly see the impact. The national team plays with a defined structure, and our youth and women’s teams have shown remarkable improvement. This is largely because teams are now handled by qualified coaches.”
He further emphasized the critical role these coaching programs play in advancing Kenyan football: “These courses are pivotal for the growth of the game in Kenya. As more teams adopt structured coaching, we’ll witness significant improvements in the sport’s overall development.”
Mbugi urged more coaches to take advantage of the opportunities provided by FKF’s courses, especially in light of CAF’s directive that all coaches meet the required qualifications. He also encouraged retired players to pursue the courses to empower themselves and contribute to the growth of football in Kenya.
Mbugi’s class marked the fifth cohort to complete the CAF B course under FKF’s leadership, part of the federation’s ongoing efforts to develop a strong coaching network across the country.
In the past eight years, FKF has trained nearly 8,000 coaches through various CAF courses, making it one of the federation’s most impactful initiatives to elevate the standards of football in Kenya.
With FKF’s continued emphasis on coaching education, the future of Kenyan football looks brighter, with qualified coaches set to drive the game to new heights.
