Veteran coach Edward Manoah has offered a mixed reaction to the proposed structural changes by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), warning that while the plan might address financial issues in the short term, it could dilute the competitiveness and integrity of Kenyan football in the long run.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsThe former Vihiga United tactician, who currently heads Mara Sugar, praised aspects of the plan but raised red flags over what he termed a threat to football development and talent progression.“Theoretically, the proposals by FKF are appealing on the financial aspect,” Manoah said. “But in the context of football development, they fall short. Football thrives on competition. It is competition that attracts investors, fans, and passion. When we dilute our leagues, we risk losing the very thing that makes football valuable.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8982591##Manoah, a seasoned figure with over a decade of experience in Kenyan football, stressed that while reforms are necessary, they must be structured to maintain competitive integrity across all levels of the game.The former Migori Youth gaffer proposed an ideal structure that would preserve the football pyramid while ensuring talent development and healthy rivalry.According to him, the Kenyan Premier League should consist of 16 teams, followed by an 18-team Kenya Super League.The National Division One should operate in two zones, with lower-tier Regional, County, and Sub-County Leagues forming the foundation of the system, including under-16 age groups.“The promotion and relegation system should remain untouched. It helps maintain competitiveness and keeps individual interests at bay,” Manoah warned. “The moment we start tampering with that, we risk derailing progress. If FKF adopts this proposal, only time will tell what direction our football takes.”A look into Kasarani Stadium’s newly refurbished VVIP lounge [VIDEO]Manoah also insisted that the national leagues, KPL, KSL, and Division One, must remain the core pipeline for identifying and nurturing top-tier talent from the grassroots.“These should be the leagues where our best players rise from, especially those coming from regional competitions,” he added.In a bid to “improve competitiveness and viability,” FKF has tabled a proposal to restructure the country’s entire football pyramid.The changes include redefining the number of leagues, the number of teams per tier, and revising promotion and relegation criteria.##NAJAVA_MECA_8982895##One of the most significant recommendations is the return of a 16-team Kenyan Premier League (KPL), which would mark the end of the current 18-team format after the 2025–26 season.To achieve this, FKF plans to relegate four teams at the end of next season.At the second-tier level, FKF proposes splitting the National Super League (NSL) into two zones of 12 teams each, a model reminiscent of the league’s early structure.If approved, this change will come into effect next season and be accompanied by a rebranding of the league to the Kenya Super League.Harambee Starlets coach reveals reason for Vivian Nanjala’s early substitution against UgandaAdditionally, FKF intends to rename the current Division One to the FKF Conference League, which would be expanded from two zones to four geographic conferences, Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern.The winners of each conference would earn automatic promotion to the Super League.
