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Former Gor Mahia coach Frank Ouna urges Kenyan clubs to join the African Football League for global competitiveness and financial gain.
Former Gor Mahia assistant coach Frank Ouna has called upon Kenyan football clubs to seize the opportunity and participate in the forthcoming editions of the newly-established African Football League (AFL).
Ouna's plea comes as AFL, featuring top clubs from across the continent, kicked off its inaugural season in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, on October 20, 2023.
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With the likes of Al Ahly, Wydad AC, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, TP Mazembe, Enyimba, Mamelodi Sundowns, ATL Petro Luanda, and Simba SC competing, the absence of Gor Mahia, Kenya's football powerhouse, from the initial lineup left fans disappointed.
Ouna believes that Kenyan clubs must make their mark in the AFL to keep pace with their African counterparts and secure a share of the lucrative rewards.
Originally conceived in Arusha, Tanzania, the headquarters of the East African Community (EAC), the AFL saw the participation of two prominent footballing figures, CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA's Gianni Infantino, in its inception in August 2022.
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Ouna, echoing the sentiments of many in the Kenyan football community, emphasised the importance of Kenyan clubs, particularly those in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), joining the AFL in the coming years.
"KPL clubs must ensure they play in this league in the next three editions. Otherwise, we risk lagging behind our neighbours and the rest of Africa for the next decade. Winners stand to pocket approximately Ksh500 million, and I project that this figure will easily rise to Ksh700 million by the fourth edition," Ouna passionately declared.
Gor Mahia, renowned for its illustrious past and storied rivalries, has been a dominant force in Kenyan football for years. However, their inability to secure a spot in the inaugural AFL left a void in the hearts of fans who had fervently hoped to witness their beloved team compete on the continental stage.
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The AFL, beyond offering an arena for top-notch football competition, holds broader objectives.
One of its primary goals is to elevate the quality of African club football to global standards while ensuring the commercial viability of African football clubs.
Additionally, the league is poised to play a pivotal role in nurturing and developing youth football talent across the African continent, providing a platform for emerging stars to shine.
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Crucially, CAF's intention is that all 54 CAF Member Associations, including countries without clubs in the AFL, should reap benefits and financial contributions from the league's commercial success.
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