Spend more money to get results, Stars striker Jesse Were tells Kenyan clubs
Harambee Stars striker Jesse Were has advised Kenyan clubs to rethink how they spend money, if they are to stand a chance of competing against established sides on the continental scene.
Were, himself a semi-finalist in the Caf Africa Champions League last year with Zesco United, was speaking after turning out for the national team in a friendly match against Uganda which ended in a 1-1 draw on Thursday evening.
“Kenyan clubs will have to be serious in terms of preparation, mentality and even how they spend money in signing quality players,” Were said.
“Like us (Zesco), we camped in South Africa for two weeks in readiness for the new season. We also played high profile games and that has made us mentally prepared for big assignments.”
CONTINENTAL FLOPS
Zesco United will meet Nigerian side Enugu Rangers in the pre-group stage of this season’s Caf Confederation Cup, having eliminated Burundi’s Ngozi United in the first round of the competition.
In contrast, Kenya’s Tusker and Ulinzi Stars have been dumped out of the Caf Champions League and the Confederation Cup respectively.
Tusker were eliminated by Maurtius club AS Port Louis in the preliminaries, while Ulinzi fell to Egyptian club Smouha in the first round.
Gor Mahia, Sofapaka and AFC Leopards have also struggled to win continental matches when called upon in recent years.