Kenyans will find it even harder to play in foreign leagues
What you need to know:
- South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba recently told the Cape Times that ‘stiffer regulations have to be imposed to foreign players joining the PSL to protect the country’s economic rights.’
- Interestingly, the Kenya Premier League (KPL) administrators at the start of this season increased the number of foreign players featuring for local clubs in a competitive match from three to five.
Kenyan footballers are finding it harder to sign professional deals abroad, thanks to the enactment of stringent laws targeting foreign players in most competitions.
The most recent case involves Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi. The former Gor Mahia midfielder is still awaiting clearance from South Africa’s Home Office so as to feature in the country’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), 10 weeks after completing a transfer to South African top-flight team Moroka Swallows.
Another Kenyan, Paul Were, was only cleared to play in South Africa last week, two months after joining top-tier club Amazulu FC.
South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba recently told the Cape Times that "stiffer regulations have to be imposed to foreign players joining the PSL to protect the country’s economic rights."
The new rules require foreign players to, among other things, prove that they "possess skills that South African players do not have".
Interestingly, the Kenya Premier League (KPL) administrators at the start of this season increased the number of foreign players featuring for local clubs in a competitive match from three to five.
KPL CEO Jack Oguda at the time argued: “KPL was conscious of the fact that local talents needs to be nurtured but bringing in foreigners would force our lads to up their game.”
SITUATION IN ENGLAND
Meanwhile, a Kenyan is unlikely to play in the English Premier League in the near future, if the country’s Football Association’s proposals to cut the number of players from outside the European Union by up to 50 per cent are implemented.
Reacting to the proposals, the English FA’s chairman, Greg Dyke, told Sky Sports this proposal is meant to “prevent mediocre players from playing in English leagues”.
If these proposals are implemented, English clubs will only be allowed to sign players from countries ranked in the top 50 of the monthly Fifa rankings.
