Kenyan players lack motivation to play abroad, former Gor Mahia coach says

Kenyan footballers lack the motivation to play abroad and become successful, ex-Gor Mahia coach Jonathan Mckinstry has said.

According to Mckinstry, players from the West African region mostly make it in leagues away from home and abroad because they are hungrier than players from the East African region.

Having worked in both East and West Africa, the former FKF Premier League-winning coach with Gor Mahia on two different occasions understands the region well and says that his view stems from his knowledge of the two regions and their economies.

"I think there's something about the sporting character that is definitely different. When you come to East Africa in general, including Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, the hunger isn’t the same," he told Tata Sports.

"I’ve been in Sierra Leone, Ghana, and The Gambia, and in West Africa, young footballers simply must make it."

"I think in Kenya, and I think in East Africa, a lot of young players want to go to a top level, but I don't think they're necessarily willing to sacrifice what needs to be sacrificed for it," he adds.

McKinstry also believes that the likes of Gor Mahia and other Premier League clubs generally pay well and that they lure more players to stay at home.

"The money that clubs like Gor Mahia are paying, the likes of Bandari, Police are paying, is decent money. And so then it's okay, players sort of say, well, I'll take that three or four-year contract, and I'll stay here for my entire career," said Mckinstry.

Comparatively, Kenyan and East African players have fared badly in European league placements as compared to their West African counterparts.

For example, there is currently no Kenyan player featuring in the top five leagues in Europe, i.e. English, Spanish, German, Italian, and Dutch.

Comparatively, there are over 50 players of Nigerian descent in the same leagues.

McKinstry is currently the Gambia national team coach.