Akumu reveals Gor, Ingwe regret as he switches into coaching

Vitalis Akumu understands that life after football can be challenging and the Western Stima defender is now preparing himself for life at the dugout once he hangs his boots. 

The defender, who can play across the backline knows the importance of being ready for life out of active football. He has already acquired two basic coaching certificates and is keen on advancing in order to get coaching licenses. 

 "I have started preparing for life after football. I began taking my coaching classes in 2019 and I already have two basic certificates. I am going to get more papers; by the time I retire, I will have the right documentation to coach a top-flight team. The aim is to have a smooth transition into coaching after retirement," he told Mozzart Sport.

Akumu has played for Western Stima, Sofapaka, Vihiga United but he believes he would have played his football outside the country if not for a series of injuries that hindered his development.  For example, he was sidelined for a year in 2016 with a broken wrist after he got involved in a gruesome accident. 

He points at his former teammates like Joash Onyango (Simba) and Eric Ouma (AIK - Sweden) and believes he would have reached a higher level had injuries spared him.

 "I have enjoyed my playing career although I believe things would have been different if not for injuries that I picked earlier in my career. I was derailed by several injuries and looking back I believe things would have been better had I remained fit. I look at the strides some of my former teammates like Joash (Onyango) and Eric (Ouma) have made and I believe that maybe I would have reached that level as well," he added.

AFC Leopards’ cult-hero keen on returning to Kenya

 At his peak, he was approached by Kenya's two biggest clubs; Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards but he turned down both clubs, it's a decision he regrets. 

 "I have two regrets.Turning down Gor Mahia in 2015 and AFC Leopards in 2018 was not wise because maybe joining either of the two clubs would have helped me achieve my dream of playing outside the country. I felt then that I wouldn't get enough playtime there and it made me opt against moving to the two teams," he states.

He however wants to achieve what he didn't as a player once he moves to the dugout and he is setting up the foundation. 

“I believe I will be successful in coaching. I try to learn as much as possible from the coaches I work under. The knowledge I gain know will come in handy when I start coaching,” he concluded.