Former Gor Mahia player Francis Ochola has lauded the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) efforts to provide training opportunities for budding coaches in Kenya.
Ochola, who was among the group of 27 coaches who graduated today having attained the CAF C certification at the FKF CAF C coaching course that culminated earlier today at Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega county was happy to have made the step towards becoming a qualified professional coach four years since he retired from professional football.
According to Ochola, his former coaches motivated him to venture into coaching which he took with passion aiming at using the knowledge attained to help grow talent in young players just like he was spotted while still in school and offered an opportunity.
“I want to be among the best coaches and assist in developing young players into great players both locally and internationally. My strength in football is general coaching and match analysis so I also would want to venture into football analysis even as I coach on sides,” Ochola said at the close of the CAF C course.
Ochola’s journey in football started when he was scouted while still in school in Kamukunji High school backin 2003 and joined Gor Mahia at the age of 17. He would later played for several other top teams including Western Stima, Kakamega Homeboys, Muhoroni Youth and Chemilil sugar until he hanged his boots in 2019.
Ochola’s football journey developed from the age groups where he played in the under 14 and 15 at the lower levels before rising to play for the Kenya national Under 17 and under 20 teams.
The Coach has qualification in coaching street soccer, CAF D coaching lincence and hopes to seek further CAF qualifications CAF B and CAF A qualifications as he looks to build into a formidable tactician.
FKF has over the last seven years trained over 8,000 coaches from the grassroots in a move that is aimed at ensuring professional coaches train youths and develop wholesome players who will place the county at the global map.
Other coaches who graduated today in Kakamega include Peter Makuto, Edwin Omondi, Calistus Shirenye, Kenedy Orwa, Shem Wanyama, Nickson Manaka, Wasike Yona, Elvis Mwanga, Martin Sitanda, George Mutimba, Phelix Ligare, Francis Ocholla, John Was, Frank Asanga, Brian Ochieng, Laban Gambareko, Enock Mukoma and Wycliffe Masheti.
Others are Stephen Kasamba, Amos Ochieng, Maxwell Wainanaina, Rexley Malenya, Philip Simiyu,Johanes Okumu, Francis Muhambe, Adams Ewaton and Caleb Aringa.
