Harambee Stars interim coach Francis Kimanzi instructs his players during a training session at Mpesa Foundation Academy, Thika on December 30, 2024 ahead of the Mapinduzi Cup that kicks off on Friday in Zanzibar.
Kenya’s most successful coach in terms of Fifa ranking, Francis Kimanzi, yesterday said he was not interested in a permanent coaching job with the team.
At press conference at Mpesa Foundation Academy in Thika, Kimanzi said he was interested in preparing a strong team to feature in the annual Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar from Friday to January 13.
Kimanzi was appointed interim coach by the new FKF office lead by president Husssein Mohamed last week to prepare the team for the Zanzibari tournament.
Asked if he wanted the position on a permanent basis Kimanzi responded in Swahili.
“I am an old man let the young people continue.” The 48-year-old tactician holds the record of highest ranking by Kenya in history, of 68 in 2008
He has had three previous stints with Harambee Stars including 2011-12 and 2019-20. He said all the players invited to camp have impressed the technical bench.
“We have 40 players in residential camp but we are preparing to cut down the squad to 20 for the Mapinduzi Cup. After the tournament in Zanzibar, we shall again have a larger number preparing for the February Chan tournament,” he said.
“We have a different approach of forming the national team than it has been,” said Kimanzi.
“We have been given a responsibility to provide the players to the national team for Mapinduzi Cup as we develop a solid framework for long term achievement in Chan.”
“We have tested all the players. We gave a chance to everyone to show what they can do as we gear up for Mapinduzi Cup,” said Kimanzi who is being assisted by Zedekiah Otieno and John Kamau.
The annual tournament previously featuring top clubs from East Africa to commemorate Zanzibar Revolution Day has attracted six nations namely Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burkina Faso.
Winners will pocket Sh6.25 million, in prize money with runners up getting Sh4.35 million and third placed finishers Sh3.1 million.
On Sunday, interim Harambee Stars goalkeeper coach Arnold Origi said participating in the Mapinduzi Cup will help in building a strong team for the rescheduled 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan).
Kenya will co-host the 2024 Chan with neighbours Uganda and Tanzania from February 1 to 28. Chan is Africa ’s second tier international football competition reserved for home-based players.
Origi said that a Harambee Stars will be looking to win in Zanzibar and boost their morale ahead of Chan that they will be participating in for the first time.
“Putting into consideration that we are going to be playing Chan at home, winning the tournament will be really nice in terms of boosting the morale and confidence of the players,” said the former Harambee Stars goalkeeper.
