The second leg of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) is back. I had the opportunity to watch the AFC Leopards play Ulinzi on Wednesday. The action got me thinking about two things; instant coffee and the 2012 Cup of Nations.
I like my coffee, with or without milk. But instant coffee i in the same league as sliced bread; makes you take too much of it under duress from your subconscious. Just a sachet and you have enough to make a cup in no time.
The same applies to fans of the so-called community clubs. The clubs, specifically Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, have a great history. A score league titles, regional championships and the Nelson Mandela Cup for Gor Mahia. These teams were built over time, and when they hit their highest level, the players would have played anywhere in the world. They had their basics right and could get their tactics right (if the club management did not involve the services of a "consultant"). What is not said enough is that they were developed through youth centres.
Listening to AFC Leopards fans after the Ulinzi match, it seems came to light that no one really wants to see coffee brew, they just want it instant. To be specific, they want the coach to come up with a winning team overnight!
Kenya has no youth system to develop tactics. Players are making the scratch on basics, technical and psychological, late in their career. Need not discipline is is reserved for people in uniform and schools. Put up a squad like this and you have briliant players but a weak team. Just the same as instant coffee.
I will mention I like my coffee brewed, put the granules in hot water and strain for the aroma. Let us put the players through the same process, we might miss out on Gabon 2012, but 2015 is definitely it, Kenya will shine.
As for the community club supporters, stop talking, start walking; no club with a fan base of 5 million has ever gone broke or lacked a stream of talent.
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