Former Gor Mahia coach Jonathan McKinstry has stated that Kenyan footballers are lagging behind their West African counterparts when it comes to securing transfers abroad.
While Kenya has produced notable players in its history, such as Michael Olunga, Victor Wanyama, and McDobald Mariga, many West African countries have contributed more to world football in terms of both quality and quantity of players.
Currently serving as the head coach of the Gambia national team, McKinstry believes that the reason Kenyan footballers are not achieving the same success as their counterparts is not just about talent. McKinstry emphasized that Kenyan footballers are also less willing to take the necessary steps to succeed.
In an interview with Tata Sport, McKinstry explained:
“I think there’s also something about the sporting character. When you come to East Africa in general, including Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, the hunger isn’t the same. I’ve been in Sierra Leone, Ghana, and The Gambia, and in West Africa, young footballers simply must make it.”
McKinstry pointed out that, at the age of 15, West African players don’t aspire to play in their domestic leagues like the Ghanaian Premier League or the Sierra Leone Premier League.
Instead, their goal is to play professionally abroad, and they are willing to endure hardships to make their way into lower-tier European leagues and prove themselves.
However, McKinstry noted that Kenyan footballers do not share this mentality. He attributed this difference to the financial security provided by local clubs.
“And finances don’t really come into it early on. Yes, they want to be able to earn some money to eat and to live, but they’re willing to take a very small package so that they get into a professional environment where it gives them a better springboard,” McKinstry said.
McKinstry argued that while this system might improve the quality of the local leagues, it could also hinder the emergence of top talents.
“And yes, that’s going to improve the levels of the league, but it’s maybe not going to find that one or two rough diamonds and take them. That’s not saying they don’t exist, there are some young Kenyans who have that mindset, but for a country of the population size, I don’t think there’s as many,” he added