This archive report was first published on 7 June 2020.
As the Kenyan Premier League continues to navigate the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bandari FC has emerged as a beacon of hope for football fans at the Coast. The club's impressive performances against top-tier teams like Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have been a testament to the dedication of its players and technical bench.
However, as the team looks to maintain its top spot in the league, it's essential to consider a long-term recruitment strategy. In this regard, I would like to propose three models of football recruitment: the Talent Pooling 'plan in advance' model, the Contingent 'last minute' model, and the Just in Time 'value' model.
The Talent Pooling model has been working well for Bandari, with the club's youth academy serving as a talent pool for the team. This approach allows the club to identify and develop young talent at the Coast, reducing the need for last-minute recruitment.
As an experienced tactician in basketball and netball, I believe that investing in an academy and scouting network is crucial for a team's long-term success. The English Premier League side Southampton is a great example of this approach, having climbed the league structures by selling their prize youth team assets and reinvesting in their team.
Players like Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, and Luke Shaw, who were developed through Southampton's academy, fetched the club a collective £60 million. This demonstrates the value of investing in youth development and continuous improvement of the squad with quality players.
As the team enters the post-Covid-19 period, it's essential to have a sound recruitment plan in place to prevent last-minute panic buying. This will help prevent the cost implications of large compensation payouts to managers and the sale of players who were bought at a higher price.
