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Taiwo Atieno, who was raised in England and played for a host of clubs such as Luton and Walsall, has blamed that lack of youth succession planing for Kenya's lack of sustained success.
Former Harambee Stars midfielder Taiwo Atieno has voiced his concerns about the lack of proper talent development in Kenyan football, pointing to the country’s ongoing struggle to produce top-level players to succeed aging stars.
Atieno, who represented Kenya during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, expressed frustration at the country's reliance on a few key players, most notably striker Michael Olunga.
Olunga, the towering forward who currently plays for Al Duhail SC in Qatar, missed Kenya’s opening Group J fixtures in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers due to injury. His absence was particularly felt during the 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe, where Kenya struggled to find the back of the net.
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13:30 - 06.10.2024
Porto's Danny Namaso dropped as Cameroon unveil final squad for Harambee Stars double-header
Porto striker Danny Namaso was among nine players dropped from Cameroon's 33-man preliminary squad for AFCON qualifiers.
Despite managing a 2-1 victory over Namibia in their second game, midfielder Richard Odada, who plies his trade with Dundee United in Scotland, admitted the team felt Olunga’s absence.
"Of course, yes, we missed him. He plays a huge role in our game. In our first match, he could have scored, and even against Namibia, if he was here, he might have scored two or three goals. We hope he’ll be fit and ready for the next game against Cameroon,” Odada remarked to SportsBoom.
Addressing whether Kenya's over-reliance on Olunga is a concern, Atieno agreed, emphasizing a larger issue within the country’s football system. “I agree that there’s a wider issue. Kenya has, over time, struggled to develop and nurture footballing talent. With a population of 55 million and an average age of 21, we shouldn’t be reliant on one player," he stated.
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16:28 - 05.10.2024
AFCON 2025: Retired Luton & Kenya international reveals how Harambee Stars can upset Cameroon
Atieno has explained how Harambee Stars can upset Cameroon in order to seal qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Atieno’s comments come as Kenya faces ongoing challenges in nurturing a new generation of footballers. The former striker believes that the lack of structured development pathways has led to Kenya's dependence on star players like Olunga.
Kenya’s next AFCON qualifier against Cameroon will be held in Uganda, as the country currently lacks a FIFA-approved stadium to host international matches. Both Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums are undergoing renovations in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the African Nations Championships (CHAN), which Kenya will co-host.
Atieno criticised this situation, calling it a significant disadvantage for the national team. “Absolutely, playing at home is crucial for any team. As a player, having the support of your home fans gives you that extra drive. It’s hard to understand why a top-six economy like Kenya doesn’t have FIFA-approved stadiums. This is clearly affecting the team’s performance,” he said.
Kenya last played on home soil on September 12, 2023, in a friendly match against South Sudan, which ended in a 1-0 loss at Kasarani Stadium. The ongoing lack of proper facilities means that Kenyan fans may continue to miss out on supporting their team in crucial international matches, further hindering the national team's chances in upcoming competitions.
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