Former AFC Leopards goalkeeper and FKF Division One outfit Equity FC coach Owen Makokha has called for unity in reviving Kenyan football.Speaking in the wake of Harambee Stars gaffer Engin Firat’s burst on the standards and quality of players gracing the top tier, Makokha noted that true to the Turkish words, the quality of the game has been on the decline in recent years.##NAJAVA_MECA_7930343##In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, the British Council Premier Skills certificate holder noted that only collaboration between football stakeholders can get Kenya back on track while adding that an increased number of community clubs could do just to the most followed sport in the country.“All is not lost; our football standards have deteriorated but we can still be back and compete at the highest level. Let’s increase the number of community clubs since they appear to have a connection with the fans,” started the ex-Umri FC netminder.“Let’s make football attractive to all people, if we want to raise the standards everyone has a part to play, let those in management professionally run the league, the fans in Kenya are passionate about the sport but they want some bait to get them focused,” he added.The promotion-earning coach with Fortune Sacco in the 2021/2022 season further adds that securing a sponsor for all tiers in the country will go a long way in wakening a sleeping giant.“The first step in making football great again is having a sponsor, if we manage to have a partner it means our players are going to be handsomely paid and any circuit that pays well tends to attract quality jugglers,” offered Owen.Former Harambee Stars coach Ghost Mulee urges Firat to address root causes of Kenyan League declineMeanwhile, Owen, who spent two seasons with the Big Cats between 2003 and 2005, further shares his fond memories with the Leopards as the club gears up to celebrate 60 years since its inception.“I fell in love with AFC Leopards as a kid, one time in 1988 they came to play Mumias Sugar in a sold-out Mumias Complex, Ingwe scored a last-minute goal through Tanzanian Abubakar Salim and the whole team erupted, at the moment Mumias were worthy competitors and the sight of beating them at their backyard made me want to play for AFC Leopards,’ said Makokha.Makokha hailed the giant’s run this year though challenged the management to sane away from politics at the club terming it as the cancer ailing the twelve-time Kenya Premier League champions.“I think they are on the right trajectory but I think they should avoid politics. Politics is what has always brought that club to its knees, I am sure if it can be taken away from the team then they can attract a bigger sponsor.”Owen who until December 2023 was in the books of third-tier side Equity before severing ties with the bankers under unclear circumstances says, he is not in a hurry to return to the dugout though will be considering his options at the end of the season.NSL: Naivas not thinking of FKF Premier League promotion yetApart from Leopards, Makokha had stints with Umri before venturing into coaching with stints against fourth-tier side 360 Media FC, Riara University, Mount Kenya University, Fortune Sacco, Mlimani Secondary School and State House Girls Nairobi.Announcing a Goalkeeping Maestro Welcome Coach Owen Makokha to Cheza Sports Academy!We’re elated to introduce a true gem to our coaching roster for 2024 – the immensely skilled Coach Owen Makokha! 🧤🏅 Expertise in Coaching:Coach Owen boasts a CAF C License #nevaluzii pic.twitter.com/2bbPvKnsgc— Cheza Sp⚽rts (@chezasports) January 20, 2024
