Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has challenged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to introduce substantial prize money for the FKF Premier League winners, arguing that financial incentives are key to enhancing the competitiveness of Kenyan clubs on the continental stage.
Mulee, a celebrated tactician and three-time Kenyan Premier League champion with Tusker FC, spoke candidly about the financial struggles facing local clubs aiming for continental success. His comments come on the back of Kenya Police FC’s historic qualification for the CAF Champions League after clinching the 2024/25 FKF Premier League title.
Mulee emphasized that while qualification for the CAF Champions League is a commendable achievement, financial backing is critical for any club aiming to go far in continental competitions.
“I want to challenge Police FC to now focus on making an impact in continental football,” Mulee stated. “It’s great that CAF has increased the prize money for the Champions League, but I don’t know if Police were awarded anything locally for winning the league—and that worries me.”
CAF recently revised its financial structure, guaranteeing all teams participating in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup a minimum of $100,000 (approximately KSh13 million) at the preliminary round stage. This amount is double what was offered in the previous year and comes as a much-needed boost for African clubs facing rising operational costs.
Despite this positive move by CAF, Mulee expressed concern that winning the domestic title in Kenya may not be yielding any meaningful financial rewards. According to him, this is a major barrier to success for Kenyan teams on the continental front, where competition is fierce and resources matter.
“It costs between KSh15 million and KSh20 million just to participate in CAF competitions, considering travel, logistics, and match preparations. Without a decent prize from the local league, that’s a huge burden on any club,” Mulee warned.
The veteran coach, who once served as a technical director at Kenya Police FC, called on FKF to step up and introduce a lucrative cash prize for league champions—something that would help teams adequately prepare for the financial demands of continental football.
“Kenyan clubs need a fighting chance. The federation must make the local league more rewarding,” Mulee said.
With Police FC heading into their debut CAF Champions League campaign, hopes are high that the Law Enforcers can make history by reaching the lucrative group stage—a feat no Kenyan team has achieved in recent years.
Mulee believes Police FC have the potential to challenge Africa’s elite, thanks to their strong financial backing and impressive technical setup.
“They have everything it takes—resources, talent, and a committed management team. I dream of seeing Police FC break the ceiling and become the first Kenyan side in years to reach the CAF group stage, where the serious money is,” he added.
Kenya Police FC previously participated in the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup, only to be eliminated by Egyptian giants Zamalek in the first round, losing 3-1 on aggregate. Their upcoming campaign in the Champions League is expected to offer a fresh opportunity for redemption.
Besides Police FC, FKF Cup champions Nairobi United are also set for continental action after securing a CAF Confederation Cup slot. Both teams are now assured of receiving CAF’s increased preliminary round prize, which will support their preparations.
Mulee’s remarks come amid growing pressure on FKF to improve the local football ecosystem—not just in governance, but also in financial incentives. As Kenyan clubs eye continental success, prize money, sponsorship, and solid technical support remain crucial pillars for long-term progress.
With the FKF Premier League gaining increased visibility, stakeholders are hopeful that Mulee’s call for higher prize money will spark conversations within FKF and among potential sponsors to uplift the financial standards of Kenyan football.
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