Europe and South America are the only continents that have won the world cup in the history of international football. The main reason why these two continents produce top footballing talents and keep on winning world cups is that they nurture football talents from a very early age.
Kenya is on the right path even though there is still much to be done. The country’s football academies have produced some of the greatest footballers including Victor Wanyama, McDonald Mariga, Denis Oliech, Michael Olunga who have written their names in the football history of this Country.
TeamKenya.co.ke compiles a list of 5 football academies that have produced Kenya’s top cream footballers.
Liberty Sports Academy
Based in Nairobi, the academy has over 25 youngsters that turn up to be fed with football basics every morning on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, and over the holidays.
Training is held at the City Stadium. Liberty Sports Academy has produced Kenya’s most potent strikers such as Michael Olunga, Nicholas Meja, and Charles Bruno who have played for various KPL teams. Olunga is the most known for playing professional football in Qatar.
JMJ Academy
JMJ academy in Nairobi West has produced several footballers who play in top-flight European leagues. Victor Wanyama is a notable product of JMJ academy.
Other talents nurtured at JMJ academy include Ayub Timbe who currently plays as a forward for Beijing Renhe in the China League One, Johanna Omolo who plays for Belgian club, Royal Antwerp, and Edwin Otieno Oluoch who played for Belgian Third division C side Sk Moelingen and several other clubs.
Ligi Ndogo Soccer Club
It was founded in 2002 with the aim of creating an enabling environment for young people to nurture their skills in soccer outside a normal learning curriculum.
Notable graduates of the academy include Swedish international John Guidetti, Liberian former international Alex Karmo, and Kenyan international Ayub Masika, Humphrey Mieno, Edwin Lavatsa, and Jesse Were.
FISA soccer academy
Friendship International Sports Academy (FISA) was founded in 2006 by its directors, Dr. Maurice Awang Owuor and Mr. Amit Shah.
The academy draws children and teenagers from neighboring neighborhoods of Mukuru slum and South B.
Some FISA graduates include; Paul Were who plays for Kalamata FC in Greece, Kevin Omondi who played for Gor Mahia, and Moroka Swallows in South Africa, Musa Mohamed who plays for Gor Mahia, and Victor Ashinga who plays for Thika United.
National Youth Talent Academy (NYTA)
NYTA’s formation was inspired by the 2008 post-election violence. The academy was formed with the aim of tapping raw talents that were being mismanaged by politicians for their selfish gains.
NYTA alumni include Musa Bashir who plays for Hong Dong FC in China, Abdul Malik who plays in Sweden, Andrew Murunga who is a Tusker player, and Dashan Lebembe who plays for Kakamega Homeboys.