Former Harambee Stars boss Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee on why many Kenyan footballers struggle when they move abroad

Jacob Ghost Mulee has explained why many Kenyan footballers struggle when they move abroad, further explaining why Victor Wanyama is a rare success.

Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has offered insights into why many Kenyan footballers struggle to succeed when they move to international clubs.

In a recent interview with comedian Oga Obinna, Mulee shed light on the significant role that early football education and solid foundational training play in a player’s ability to thrive overseas.

Drawing on years of experience within Kenyan and international football, Mulee pinpointed the lack of structured early development as a major reason why many Kenyan players face difficulties adapting to the competitive demands of European leagues. 

According to Mulee, the gap in football education is a recurring issue that affects the progression of players who move abroad.

“One of the reasons why our players struggle in Europe is because we take our rough diamonds,” Mulee explained. “Football education is still a challenge in Kenyan football. Our players start when it is very late. The foundation is the most important thing that we have been falling short on.”

Mulee emphasized that the journey of becoming a top footballer should begin at an early age, much like academic education. Without this early nurturing, players find it challenging to meet the tactical and technical demands of top-tier football.

He illustrated this with an experience from his own career. 

“In 2009, I was attached to Stade Reims because Asamoah Gyan was there at the time. I went to Nantes, where Dennis Oliech was playing. I sat down with his coach and asked, ‘Dennis Oliech is a top striker in Kenya, but why is he not playing here?’ and he told me, ‘football education (is missing). That is what is ailing our football,’” Mulee recounted.

The former Harambee Stars coach likened player development to constructing a house, underscoring the necessity of a strong base. “Arsene Wenger was speaking about bases. Developing a player is like building a house. Foundations have to be laid. That is what we lack,” he said.

Mulee noted that football education should ideally begin well before a player turns 15, as starting at that age is already considered late in more developed football nations. 

He argued that players who are thrust into professional environments without comprehensive foundational training often struggle to adapt and reach their full potential.

Using Victor Wanyama as an example, Mulee highlighted how early exposure to structured training in Europe enabled the former Kenyan captain to excel. Wanyama joined the Helsingborg U21 side in 2008 after leaving AFC Leopards and later moved to Belgian club Beerschot, where he spent three years honing his skills.

“Wanyama is the top Kenyan professional who has and can play anywhere in the world. He has been through the pyramid of success in football. When you pass through a top academy, you can play anywhere in the world,” Mulee said.

Wanyama’s pathway illustrates how robust foundational training can pave the way for a successful career.

 His move to Scottish giants Celtic in 2011 set the stage for an eventual transfer to the English Premier League, where he played for Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the only Kenyan to appear in a UEFA Champions League final.

In contrast, Mulee’s observations underline the challenge that many other Kenyan players face when they venture abroad without similar grounding.

 “Football is like education, where you have to be developed well,” Mulee concluded, reinforcing the need for comprehensive football education starting at an early age.

This lack of a strong developmental system remains a major hurdle for Kenyan footballers, and Mulee's insights serve as a call for change to ensure future players are equipped to compete successfully on the global stage.