Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya has emerged as the biggest advocate for the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division One League, urging more coaches to focus their scouting efforts on the third-tier competition.Muluya, who has built a reputation for discovering and nurturing talent from lower leagues, praised the dedication, hard work, and raw talent displayed by Division One players.He believes these athletes are more than ready for the top-flight league if given the right guidance and opportunities.“The FKF Division One League is blessed with players who are dedicated, hardworking, and immensely talented. Most of these players are still struggling to find their way in life, which is the only difference between them and those in the FKF Premier League, who are already accustomed to playing at a higher level,” the former Harambee Stars assistant coach told Sports Hive254 in a YouTube interview.##NAJAVA_MECA_8789875##One of the longest-serving coaches at a single club in the country, Muluya firmly believes that the future of Kenyan football lies in the lower-tier leagues and grassroots competitions, where undiscovered talent continues to thrive.“The future of Kenyan football is in Division One. There is so much potential there, but these players lack the necessary support and visibility. If given a chance, they will undoubtedly shine,” he emphasized.Muluya has made it a tradition at Sharks to recruit players from the lower tiers, transforming unknown youngsters into household names and national heroes.Inside former Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards forward’s academy in Canada [VIDEO]The club has built a reputation for spotting raw talent, refining it, and eventually supplying some of the best players to the country’s top clubs and national team.Among the players who have thrived under Muluya’s system at Sharks are AFC Leopards fullback Fred Alushula and Shabana FC striker Moses Shikanda. Others include James Mazembe and Steve Biko, who rose through Division One side Green Commandos before making it big.Sharks’ scouting network has also unearthed players such as Shariff Musa from Soy United, who was discovered in a local tournament known as the Amani Cup, Kevin Musamali from Soy, Erick Omija from Gor Youth, and John Buba from Emanani Muslim.Kenya yet to pay Ksh1.6 billion CHAN hosting fee to CAFThe club has also molded Kelvin Wangaya from Ligi Ndogo, Issa Lumumba from St. Anthony’s Kitale, and Timothy Ekhavi from Luanda Villa, who were all playing in the third tier at the time of their discovery.Others include Kevin Otiala and Levin Leonlevitt from St. Joseph’s Youth, Andreas Odhiambo from Embakasi All Stars, and Siololo Memusi from Laiser Hill, who previously played for Division Two side Total Spurs from Narok.##NAJAVA_MECA_8792009##Additionally, Humphrey Aroko from Highway Youth Team, Pawell Shisima from Sigalagala, and many others have benefited from Sharks’ scouting policy and Muluya’s keen eye for talent.“Sharks sign players from the lower tier to give them a chance. What these players lack is an opportunity to move up, but once they get that chance, they give it their all. If you look at our squad, most of our signings are young players found in schools and grassroots tournaments. I believe in giving these players a chance because if I don’t, they might never get one elsewhere,” the soft-spoken coach explained.AFC Leopards expelled from Mozzart Bet CupMuluya, popularly known as “Kanu” among his fans, urged relevant authorities to prioritize the development of the lower leagues by providing financial incentives and improving playing facilities.“The growth of Division One and other lower-tier leagues is crucial for the success of Kenyan football. We need better fields, proper funding, and structured support to help these players realize their potential. If these leagues are well-managed, Kenyan football will flourish at all levels,” he concluded.Since taking charge of Kariobangi Sharks in 2016, Muluya has cemented his place as one of the most influential coaches in Kenyan football.Under his leadership, Sharks won the 2018 FKF Shield Cup, earning a historic ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.#FootballKe Twitter… Robert Matano ball or William Muluya ball? pic.twitter.com/Y3PGMZGemV— Mûrîmi Njirû (@muriminjirujnr) October 11, 2024 Beyond club football, he has also contributed to the national team setup, having served as an assistant coach for Harambee Stars.His ability to groom young players and integrate them into the national team has been widely recognized, with several of his former players earning national team call-ups.Muluya’s legacy continues to grow, and his unwavering faith in Division One talent could reshape how Kenyan clubs approach scouting and player development.
