FKF to Raise Coaching Standards with New CAF A Licence Course Amid High Demand
Over 100 coaches apply for 25 slots in FKF’s upcoming CAF A Licence course, as the federation tightens coaching requirements for Kenyan football.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 21, 2026
2 min read
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is preparing to launch a new CAF A Licence coaching course this September, attracting over 100 applicants competing for just 25 available spots. This move reflects FKF’s commitment to enhancing coaching standards across all levels of Kenyan football.
The announcement followed the conclusion of a five-day CAF A Licence Refresher Course held at Nairobi’s KCB Sports Club, which gathered coaches renewing their licences and updating their tactical knowledge. FKF Football Development Director Francis Kimanzi highlighted the challenge of selecting participants due to the high number of applicants versus CAF’s limit of 25 coaches per course to ensure quality training.
Of the 25 slots, three are reserved for foreign coaches, leaving 22 places for Kenyan candidates. Coaches typically qualify for the CAF A course after completing a CAF B Licence and gaining two years of experience. The selection process will be stringent, with FKF applying strict criteria to identify deserving candidates.
In addition, FKF is enforcing the CAF coaching qualification requirements for top-tier clubs, mandating that head coaches hold a CAF A Licence. Although enforcement will include a grace period to allow clubs to comply, this policy aims to professionalise coaching standards at the highest competitive level.
The refresher course welcomed coaches from both men’s and women’s football, as well as various league levels. Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor, who attended the refresher, praised the programme for its role in continuous professional development, especially as his team prepares for the CAF Champions League preliminary round against Egyptian side Pyramids FC.
William Mluhya, coach of Kariobangi Sharks, emphasized the importance of coaching education at grassroots levels, noting that uniform coaching standards are vital for player development across Africa.
FKF’s intensified focus on coaching education underscores its strategy to elevate Kenyan football’s technical quality from grassroots to continental competitions.
