“He can spend a whole day planning for a two hour training session!” Situma explains reasons behind veteran Kenyan coaches’ success

FKFPL: “He can spend a whole day planning for a two hour training session!” Situma explains reasons behind veteran Kenyan coaches’ success

Mark Kinyanjui 08:59 - 12.07.2023

Situma worked under some of the best coaches in the country over the course of his career, including Robert Matano, Francis Kimanzi, Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno.

Former Harambee Stars defender James Situma has explained why top-notch Kenyan coaches are few and far between and explained how the country can produce better coaches in future. 

Situma worked under some of the best coaches in the country over the course of his career, including Robert Matano, Francis Kimanzi, Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno.

The current Kenya Footballers’ Welfare Association (KEFWA) chairman has explained why the aforementioned coaches have attained success over their coaching careers

“We have alot good coaches around the country, but the reason they (the four above) do so well is because they believe in themselves. They are coaches that want to run things their own ways,” Situma told Radull Live.

“Most coaches tend to be manipulated by the management, but for Kimanzi and the others (Matano, Zico, Mulee), they stand their ground and are hard-headed in a good way.”

Situma worked under Matano at Sofapaka as they won their first ever league title in 2009. He worked with Francis Kimanzi at Batoto Ba Mungu, Mathare United and the national team. He worked under Zico and Ghost for the national team as well.

The 38-year old has explained that their attention to detail has played a huge part in making them impact football positively. 

“These coaches really do a lot of homework. Who they are going to play, which opponents they are facing and the quality of players they have.”

Situma has praised the impact of Kimanzi in particular to shaping his career. Ghost described Kimanzi as “the most qualified coach in Kenya” having learnt his coaching ropes in the Netherlands.

He possesses a UEFA A license and has spoken about plans to pursue his pro license, the highest qualification of football coaching in world football.

“Kimanzi (for example) can spend a whole day planning for a two hour training session and once the session is over, he rubbishes the papers he wrote and it leaves you wondering what he was working on. He plans a lot.

“The way he plans his training sessions, the way he plans for a game is top-notch. That is the difference between Kimanzi and the other coaches.

“For Kim, he always plans and with him, you need to be patient for the results because his methods need time. You cannot plant maize and expect it to grow immediately.

“If you give him a team to coach, you need to give him time then results will come, maybe not the first or second year, but the third or fourth.

“Kimanzi also develops the players. I retired under him (at Mathare United) and played all the 32 games as a wing back. I had the energy and mind despite my age because he gave me the tools and ingredients to make sure I played well.”

The 32-cap former international achieved great success over his playing career, winning trophies at Sofapaka, Tirana and Tusker.

He also played for AFC Leopards and Kakamega Homeboyz  before hanging up his boots in 2019.

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