Football coach Francis Muhambe, popularly known as Franco, is using grassroots football to create opportunities for young Kenyans, turning school teams into talent pipelines for professional clubs, scholarships and international exposure.

The Kiswahili and History teacher at Vihiga High School has built a coaching career around identifying overlooked players, developing their abilities and connecting them to opportunities beyond their local communities.

Through school football and grassroots competitions, Franco has helped nurture players who have gone on to represent Kenya, join professional clubs and secure opportunities abroad. His work highlights the economic potential of grassroots sports, particularly in communities where young talent often lacks the facilities, exposure and networks needed to progress.

“I get satisfaction when I see my players grow and watch them on television, either playing for local clubs, the national team or international clubs,” he says. “What matters to me is what happens to the player and how far they go.”

Franco’s journey began at Kilingili Secondary School, where he developed an interest in coaching while organising classmates for inter-class football competitions. His passion eventually took him into school and club football, where he introduced a possession-based playing style inspired partly by former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger.

His coaching experience has since covered several institutions, including Olbolosat Secondary School, Ol Joro Orok Secondary School, Ebwali Boys, Nyamira Girls and Vihiga High School.

At Olbolosat, he guided the team to the East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association Games in 2018. A year later, he helped Ebwali Boys qualify for the national secondary school games.

His involvement in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament has also strengthened his reputation. In 2023, he guided Ebwali Boys to the Western Regional title after defeating Bungoma-based Compel Sportif 1-0. The victory earned the team a place in the national finals in Kisumu.

Building a pipeline for Kenyan football talent

At Vihiga High School, Franco built the Vihiga Cranes team from scratch, recruiting players and preparing them for competitive football.

The team eventually defeated his former side, Ebwali Boys, in the county finals before progressing to the regional stage. He also guided Nyamira Girls to the Siaya County title.

Beyond trophies, his coaching has produced players who have attracted opportunities in the local and international football markets.

Among them are Harambee Stars players Austin Odongo and Derrick Okech, Shabana FC’s Justice Munika and Valerie Nekesa, who has represented Kenya and played for Spanish side CD Tenerife Femenino.

Other players, including Jane Hatto and Rebecca Kwoba, have pursued football and scholarship opportunities in the United States.

Four players associated with his coaching journey were also selected for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba All-Stars team that travelled to Spain in 2025.

These opportunities demonstrate how structured grassroots development can create pathways into professional football, education and employment.

Franco believes that technical development should come before physical conditioning and tactical training. He also scouts players in areas such as Khwisero, Vihiga and Lugari, often giving promising candidates two to three weeks of training before making recruitment decisions.

The business challenges behind grassroots football

Despite the progress, developing football talent comes with financial and operational challenges.

Limited playing facilities, inadequate equipment and transportation costs make it difficult for grassroots teams to participate in friendly matches and tournaments. These expenses can restrict exposure, even for players with considerable potential.

Franco acknowledges the support of Vihiga High School’s management but believes stronger investment in grassroots structures would help more players access competitive opportunities.

His next ambition is to establish a fully-fledged football academy targeting children under 13 and 15. The proposed institution would provide structured training, identify promising players early and prepare them for professional clubs and other sporting opportunities.

However, registration and logistical requirements remain obstacles.

Franco has also invested in professional development, undertaking Confederation of African Football (CAF) D coaching training with sponsorship from former Luanda MP Chris Omulele before progressing to CAF C training in 2023.

His long-term ambition is to become a certified professional coach while expanding opportunities for young footballers.

“God gives a player talent, but when that player comes into your hands, you must understand that you have a responsibility to help them grow,” he says.

For Franco, developing a successful footballer involves more than teaching someone to score goals. It requires discipline, education, teamwork and the ability to earn a living.

His ambition to establish an academy reflects a bigger opportunity within Kenyan sport: turning raw talent into a structured development system that can produce professional players and sustainable livelihoods.