Musanze FC head coach Frank Ouna has sensationally claimed that Rwandan players comparably have better work ethic than their Kenyan counterparts. In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport since joining the Rwandan Premier League outfit in September 2021, the former Gor Mahia assistant coach, however, thinks that Rwandan players lack discipline off the pitch.”I think they have a better work ethic in terms of application on the pitch as compared to our Kenyan players. On average, a typical Rwandan or Central African player works far much harder in training and matches than a Kenyan player,” the former KCB FC coach told Mozzart Sport.Former Nzoia Sugar and KCB attacker Victor Omondi moves to Rwanda. He has signed for Musanze, a side coached by Kenyan, Frank Ouna.The forward is an ex Kenya U20 player.#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/jFsN4f56cW— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) August 2, 2022 Yet, on the downside Ouna, who served as assistant coach of the national team Harambee Stars, thinks that Rwandan players are ill disciplined off the pitch. “I think Rwandan players need to get a grip with their discipline off the pitch. I don’t think the players are very well disciplined off the pitch, and it’s something they can improve, it’s something foreign influence like myself can help change, and I’m helping to change,”Ouna’s influence can already be felt at Musanze, a team that previously languished in the lower sections of the league. In his first stint, Ouna guided them to an impressive 6th place finish in the 16-team league. Musanze is currently eighth after three fixtures, winning two and losing one. Lack of tactical readiness of players and language barrier are among other challenges Ouna has had to grapple with in Rwanda.Our coaches Stewart Hall and Frank Ouna have spoken ahead of tomorrow’s game against Ulinzi Stars at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.#Wazito4Life #UliWaz pic.twitter.com/u3xKH689nI— Wazito Football Club (@wazitofc) January 7, 2020 “In Rwanda, they only have two divisions, the Premier League and the Second Division, they don’t have another tier, so most players join the Premier League before they are coached for many years; they come straight from schools, homes, villages…straight into the Premier League, so it’s quite a challenge for them to understand tactics,”The fact that majority Rwandans converse mostly in Kinyarwanda does not make Ouna’s work any easier. “In Kenya, most people speak English and Kiswahili, unlike in Rwanda where majority speak Kinyarwanda, English is more of a universal language, so it’s easier for coaches coming to Kenya, that’s not the case here, it’s more challenging if you don’t speak French.”We have appointed a new TB for the National team.Stanley Okumbi is the 1st Coach,assisted by Musa Otieno &Frank Ouna pic.twitter.com/vEFQ4PeBm4— Nick Mwendwa (@Nmwendwa) February 20, 2016 For Ouna, working outside Kenya has always been a burning desire that somehow arrived late. But still, he believes that it is a sign that Africa is beginning to appreciate coaching talents. He joins a growing list of Kenyan coaches, who are currently working or previously worked abroad, including Patrick Odhiambo, Yusuf Chippo, Bernard Mwalala, Francis Baraza, Jacob & ‘Ghost’ Mulee, the late James Siang’a and Michael Nam.”It’s good tidings. When you work outside the country you gain so much, you come back a totally different person, your view changes in terms of how you look at things, coach or approach games, you become a totally different person, and this is positive for Kenyan football, you impact positively on others who also learn from you,”Coach Frank Ouna speaking ahead of tomorrow’s showdown against Gor Mahia at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.#Wazito4Life #WazGor pic.twitter.com/r2NnaJfHFb— Wazito Football Club (@wazitofc) January 3, 2020 Despite dancing abroad, Ouna wants the mess in Kenyan football sorted out and normalcy restored. “It is high time we put our house in order and resume football under the FIFA recognised leagues. We have suffered enough as direct stakeholders in the game, reinstate the previous office and let us move on,” he said.
