Nothing can be as peculiar as Kenyan football fans. Passionate, deeply rooted and on the other side can be really furious when triggered. Yes triggered and in this case, the national team selection is the spark. It is a cliché now. The main man Engin Firat under heat by netizens over whom his eyes picked or rather his pen. We bleed Harambee Stars colors, travel the country religiously supporting our team and possess an unmatched enthusiasm for the beautiful game. Yet, when the national team selection sparks outrage, a crucial question arises: are the frustrations misplaced, or is the system failing our players and fans alike?
It’s easy to point fingers at Firat, especially when selections seemingly defy logic. But hold on a minute.
Whenever the list drops even that ardent octogenarian fan begs why they haven’t called Joe Kadenge and you have to remind him which year we are in. Well that’s my grandpa and whenever it gets to that point, he takes it as his cue to narrate his story on football back in his days. but nostalgia shouldn’t cloud judgment. Coach Firat deserves the final say in selection – that’s a given.
Today we are not following the critic angle, sorry, my creativity today didn’t manage energy to poke holes but be inquisitive I will be. However, the real culprit might be lurking elsewhere: a lack of infrastructure hindering Kenyan football’s true potential. Of course, it is the curiosity in me to try and understand if what I see happen in Football Manager (a manager simulation game) happens here in Kenya. Does Kenya Have…
- A National Player Database? Doubtful. Not that I know of, but do you think we have one? For now let’s say, maybe. It is good to be hopeful, also healthy. However, this remains to be a key factor in the structure and fingers crossed Engin Firat and team have one. Building a comprehensive record of local talent is crucial for strategic selection.
- A Scouting Network? Fairs, I’ve seen the national team manager present in kenyan games for a while now. Does he have a scouting team that play watch-tower over his national pool? With our league lacking extensive footage cover, how does he get the videos for all players in his national pool for assessment? Walk with me here, for a coach famously known for his detailed and informative press conferences, how does he get such data? Mmmhh… Did I trigger a thought?
- Data Analysis? On this I have to give it to him for embracing data and basing his decisions on insights. However, the Kenyan league structure is yet to fully embrace technology in gauging performance leave alone onboarding data analysts in their technical bench. What metrics does he use? Yes video analysis, perfect! Saw his illustrations last time when he addressed Olunga vs Omalla debate. What about data? The ratings? Well, unless you know seems we’re both in the dark on this.
The harsh reality is, Kenyan football is yet to embrace technology. While Coach Firat deserves credit for his data-driven approach, the league itself lags behind. Imagine a scenario similar to the popular game “Football Manager,” where informed choices are based on a wealth of information – that’s the dream.
Kenyan fans are more than just passionate supporters; they’re the backbone of the sport. Shouldn’t they have faith in a system that consistently identifies and nurtures talent?
The beautiful game deserves a beautiful structure. Investing in a national player database, a robust scouting network, and implementing data analysis tools within the league is crucial.
Yes, this piece sparks more questions than answers, but that’s the point. Let’s shift the focus from blaming individuals to acknowledging the systemic shortcomings. It’s time Kenyan football embraces technology and equips our coaches and players with the tools they deserve to compete if we are to stand a chance on a global stage. Sorry to end this leaving you with more questions than you first read the title, my mind is blowing up too!
