It is a region that has some of the coldest seasons on earth. Scandinavia, for all intents and purposes, can be dreadful and being in Northern Europe and particularly the Arctic, only the locals can easily adapt and thrive.
However, for some footballers in Africa, it is home and they make their bread in the sub-continent. The trident of Norway, Sweden and Denmark has especially offered green pastures to players from East Africans, mostly Kenyans in their pursuit of a promising career path in Europe’s big leagues. Add Belgium to the mix, and you have a place that blossoms many.
Kenya has had a couple of success stories via the route of Scandinavia and onto the big leagues. The former Harambee Stars Captains of McDonald Mariga, Victor Wanyama and current skipper Michael Olunga have all had a stint in that part of the world. Add the likes of Johanna Omollo, Joseph Okumu, Timothy Ouma, Eric Ouma, Richard Odada and Ovella Ochieng amongst a slew of other notables who have had good caps for the national team as well.
So, why is Scandinavia an appropriate start for most of Kenyans seeking the big bucks abroad as opposed to the Western side of Europe which has more visibility and competitiveness? Experts argue that Kenya’s low ranking means it is a hard pass top go direct to the big four leagues of England, Spain, Italy or Germany.
Africa Football Journalist Collins Okinyo contends that it is all about finding a good start and then building the pace upwards. “This region for most of our local players is a good stepping stone so that they get accustomed to how life runs. Europe is fast and one needs proper grounding and so this is the best path. It also helps them get recognized and the leagues over there are not as fierce but it is all about confidence building,” says the former CAF and Supersport Communications media officer.
Okinyo adds; “North of Europe is also a place where one gets to acclimatise and learn the foreign culture therefore settling easier. For our players, we have to follow the longer route because we are not at the standards of players in West Africa for example who have invested in football development through Academies. However, it is okay to begin from somewhere.”
Veteran football coach James Nandwa on his part suggests that exposure is everything and the fact that Kenyan players are not known is a huge disadvantage.
”We all remember during the decade Supersport was here how marketable our players were. It is sad how low we have sunk and the worst hit is players who cannot showcase their talents to the world. I also blame our agents who sell our players short with flimsy deals because they are desperate. I think we need to regularize that sector forthwith. During our times between 1987-1994, at least 30 players got deals the country and yet now with the world opening, it is difficult.”
“Additionally, I think our players need conditioning for those foreign leagues because they are not physically up to scratch. Also, coaches’ need to work on players’ discipline and mentality. Otherwise, this issue will still persist and we will not go far as we desire,” says the Ex-Sher Karuturi and Utalii FC tactician!
Another experienced Coach Leonard Saleh, formerly of KCB Football Club, points out that football education is lacking among most of the country’s players such that they need refining from elsewhere.
“We can look at it from the perspective of learning and in Northern Europe and in particular Scandinavia, there is patience. For the few kids that get lucky from school to get Academies abroad, then they learn all about football. However for our case, we must take the longer path to let go that destination. For guys like Mariga, Oliech and Wanyama it took sacrifice and hard work to be where they got to. We also need physicality because we are small and so for professional leagues that must change. Also, our ranking is a bit of an issue at the moment which is something to look at.”
Bandari FC coach Ken Odhiambo believes there is talent abounds in Kenya but the training manual is the problem. “For our players to succeed abroad there is need for proper football understanding supported by a curriculum and also infrastructure. That exists mostly in academies and the best time to move abroad is 15-18 years. Our players also must have in confidence so as to fit in the big leagues and also intelligent. The mental aspect of the game is also crucial in advancing careers abroad.”
