Kenya international Clifton Miheso has opened up on what it would take for Kenyan football to develop and grow its full potential.For a long time, the country has experienced stagnation in the development of football if not grown backward, considering the number of players in the top leagues in the world and the FIFA World rankings.AFC Leopards blame Nyayo Stadium renovations for not hiring new CEOMiheso is one of the footballers who have had an opportunity to experience football in other countries having played in Finland, Portugal, South Africa, and Zambia.In a candid conversation with TikiTaka Show, the AFC Leopards captain revealed the country should invest in grassroots and academy football.##NAJAVA_MECA_8586098##“It is something that we ought to have embraced fully 10 to 15 years ago. For football to develop, we have to intentionally have quality young players coming through the ranks to replace senior players,” said Miheso.Miheso is one of the players of his generation, who passed through an academy and he explained the importance of that pathway.NSL side MCF axe eight players on suspicion of alleged match fixing“The foundation is so important for a player, who is starting their career, especially at a young age because at the formative ages, it is possible to mould what’s needed of a player like developing techniques and even physicality.At the top level, you can only work on a few things as there is no time and space to do the basics,” he explained.##NAJAVA_MECA_8586089##Additionally, the former Buildcon player outlined the difference between a player who has gone through an academy and one who has not.“There is a big difference in terms of quality between a player, who has gone through the academy and one who has not. You can just spot the difference from how they handle the ball, their technique, control, and many things,” he noted.STARS ABROAD: Former AFC Leopards defender features in massive Serbian derby victoryThe 31-year-old joined Thika United academy as a nine-year-old boy and passed through its ranks to finally make it to tier football immediately after high school.The former Gor Mahia winger said that the discipline and hard work engraved in them at a young age has played a pivotal role in their longevity.##NAJAVA_MECA_8586120##“If you look at most of the players that we were with at Thika; the likes of Kahata (Francis) and Peter Opiyo, they have been able to play for a long time.”
